Stoke have shocked many by naming injured trio Ricardo Fuller, Mama Sidibe and Danny Higginbotham in the 25 man Premier League squad, and leaving out fringe players such as Danny Pugh and Danny Collins. Andrew Davies, Tom Soares and Michael Tonge also miss out meaning the quintet can appear for Stoke in Carling Cup games between now and the New Year, making it extremely likely they will move out on loan for the next few months.
The Potters have also had to name a 23 man squad for European action and have named the same squad as they ahve for the Premier League minus Jonathan Woodgate, who they want to wrap in cotton wool to keep him injury free, and Mama Sidibe, who is nearing recovery from an achilles injury.
The Potters 25 man Premier League squad:
Goalkeepers
Asmir Begovic, Thomas Sorensen, Carlo Nash
Defenders
Andy Wilkinson, Robert Huth, Ryan Shotton, Matthew Upson, Danny Higginbotham, Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson, Jonathan Woodgate
Midfielders
Jermaine Pennant, Matthew Etherington, Salif Diao, Glenn Whelan, Dean Whitehead, Rory Delap, Wilson Palacios, Diego Arismendi
Strikers
Kenwyne Jones, Jonathan Walters, Ricardo Fuller, Peter Crouch, Cameron Jerome, Mama Sidibe
The Potters 23 man Europa League squad:
Goalkeepers
Asmir Begovic, Thomas Sorensen, Carlo Nash
Defenders
Andy Wilkinson, Robert Huth, Ryan Shotton, Matthew Upson, Danny Higginbotham, Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson
Midfielders
Jermaine Pennant, Matthew Etherington, Salif Diao, Glenn Whelan, Dean Whitehead, Rory Delap, Wilson Palacios, Diego Arismendi
Strikers
Kenwyne Jones, Jonathan Walters, Ricardo Fuller, Peter Crouch, Cameron Jerome