Michael Tonge, who has been suffering from a bout of flu, is available but is unlikely to feature which means the Potters still only have one absentee in big striker Mama Sidibe, who is still a long way away from full fitness following his knee injury. Ricardo Fuller and Liam Lawrence were left on the bench on Wednesday, to concentrate on this match, and no doubt both will return to the side to add more of an attacking threat.
Birmingham have been easing summer signing Christian Benitez into the side and this match may see his first start. Operating a 4-5-1 formation so far with Cameron Jerome and the impressive James McFadden switching between the left wing and sole striker during the two games so far.
Both sides have started with two results they would have expected. Liverpool and Manchester United have had home victories over Stoke and Birmingham respectively whilst the victories came at home to fellow relegation candidates Burnley(Stoke) and Portsmouth(Birmingham). Home form could give Birmingham's the edge when compared to Stoke's away record but the Potters two away victories last season came against the other promoted sides and they will be hoping to extend that stat in this Midlands battle.
This will be only the second time the Potters have visited St. Andrews in the last 12 seasons so theres not much form to go off, only a single goal defeat in 2006/7.
Stoke's side should see Ricardo Fuller and Liam Lawrence return to the line up with Richard Cresswell and Glenn Whelan the most lively to make way. Neither Cresswell nor Whelan took Wednesdays opportunity by the scruff of the neck and can have no complaints if dropped to the bench again. Hopefully the resting duo will return fresh and ready to guide the Potters to a crucial victory.
Prediction: Fuller and Lawrence lead an early onslaught of chances that culminates with Fuller tricking his way in on goal before slotting home. The hosts come more and more into it and eventually equalise with minutes to go through dangerous record signing Benitez