Ex-Toon Defender Signed Too Late!

Dickinson limped out of the game against Ipswich on Saturday with a dead leg but should play, while fellow defender Andy Wilkinson is facing a late fitness test after suffering a groin injury in the same game.

If Wilkinson fails to recover then Gabriel Zakuani will step in.

Mamady Sidibe is at the African Nations and Dominic Matteo is still injured.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis: "I'm expecting Carl to be fit as things stand.

"He's responded very well to treatment for the dead leg he received at Ipswich.

"The news is also encouraging about Andy because we thought he might be out for a while with the groin strain. I'd say Andy is 50-50 at the moment, so it looks like a late decision on whether or not we go with him."