Stoke will give late fitness tests to James Beattie(knee) and Ryan Shawcross(growing pains) with Mama Sidibe the only definate absentee with his long term knee injury. Suspensions are still a clean slate, as you'd expect at this time of the season.
The Black Cats are definately without Danny Collins, who has started every game so far, but Sunderland have agreed a £4m fee with the Potters so it would be unprofessional to pick the defender. A big question mark hangs over Marton Fulop but that worry is eased by Craig Gordons confident return from injury on Monday. The visitors also have no suspensions.
Both sides have started the season well, Steve Bruce has signed some good players for Sunderland, In Cana and Cattermole adding much needed steel to a somewhat talented but flaky side of last season. Both sides have taken up position within the top 8 and both would snap off the hand of anybody offering them their current positions come the end of May.
Stoke, even when seemingly with a weaker side for most encounters, have managed to defeat Sunderland on numerous occasions, hell even Vincent Pericard scored the winner one year! The last seasons see Stoke record victories of 3-1(2003/4), 2-1(06/7) and 1-0(08/9) whilst a late Michael Bridges goal gave them a 1-0 victory in 2004/5 as they swept everybody aside on their way to the Championship title.
City's two 'Rock the City' signings may both start the match, dependant on the fitness tests of Shawcross and Beattie, as Tony Pulis reshuffles his pack following the mainly second strings run out in midweek. The only player who may keep his place from the trip to Orient is Dave Kitson, who opened his Potters account with the winner.
Prediction: Stoke's players and crowd to step upto the mark with the new arrivals on board and snatch an early goal through Lawrence against his former club before doubling it around the hour mark through a debut goal for Tuncay Sanli, and comfortably holding out against late pressure.