Potters v Saddlers preview

Stoke aim to push aside Walsall to get into the 5th round draw of the FA Cup for the first time in three years and get back into scoring ways at the same time.

Paul Merson, Walsall's player/manager, hopes that the Stoke fans will help him, he told the Sentinel: 'If we can keep them quiet for 20 minutes, the crowd could start to turn...'

I think he'll find that Stoke fans are made of sterner stuff!

Darel Russell is still out with a knee injury, but Dave Brammer will return after his groin injury. Sam Bangoura is still off on international duty.

After his disappointing penalty kick against Hull last weekend, lets hope he is determined to make amends and that the whole team are up for this very important game

Merson and Devlin are out injured. After their midweek LDV defeat let's hope that Walsall are feeling a bit jaded. They've also just lost their leading goal scorer, Matt Fryatt, to Leicester.

Timms, a 21 year old Dane, has arrived on loan from Manchester United. Only played twice for the Saddlers, but has already notched up a goal

Stoke have not met Walsall in the Cup since 1966. The last time we faced them in the League was 2 years ago, when we won 3-2. They were later condemned to relegation after Gillingham had drawn with Stoke on the last day to survive.

Keith Stroud

Its the cup and it's time that the Potters bounced back with a convincing 3-1 win.

Saturday 4th February: Preston North End (Home) 3pm

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