Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz believes the club have come out of their recent slump in form and hopes yesterday’s 1-0 win over Stoke means the Cottagers can now target a top-10 finish.

Fulham 1 Stoke 0

Fulham manager Martin Jol made three changes to his side for the visit of Stoke in the Barclays Premier League.

Marc Wilson is targeting a return to senior action with Stoke in this weekend’s Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham after four months out of action with a broken leg.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has claimed he was “very close” to signing Robin van Persie last summer.

Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross is poised to commit himself to the Potters for the next six years.

Wigan 2 Stoke 2

Stoke winger Jermaine Pennant is a doubt for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Newcastle.

Alex Ferguson is relishing the prospect of his Manchester United side facing the unique challenge presented by Stoke at Old Trafford tonight.

Stoke City 2 Tottenham 1

ARSENE WENGER’S desire to protect Van Persie is perfectly understandable.

Swansea 2 Stoke 0

LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish will focus only on the positives when it comes to new striker Craig Bellamy.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will focus only on the positives when it comes to new striker Craig Bellamy.

Jon Walters has been rewarded for an impressive first year at Stoke with a 12-month contract extension which keeps him at the Britannia Stadium until the summer of 2015.

HARRY REDKNAPP has warned suspicion will hang over Manchester City’s clash with Stoke unless the Premier League move the fixture which could prove vital to Tottenham’s chances of qualifying for next year’s Champions League.

Stoke 2 West Ham 1

Stoke 3 Brighton 0

SOMETIMES heroes have to stand up and Nikola Zigic has stood taller than most in Birmingham’s time of need. The Birmingham goal hero has overcome the doubters and become a key part of their Barclays Premier League survival battle.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis will be without striker Ricardo Fuller for tomorrow’s game against Sunderland although Ryan Shawcross is set to return from suspension for the early kick-off.

Stoke midfielder Dean Whitehead is concerned the controversy over comments made by Fulham captain Danny Murphy about the Potters’ playing style may be impacting on their season.

Dean Whitehead is available for Stoke’s visit to West Ham in the Carling Cup fourth round tomorrow after completing a one-match suspension.

HUMAN slingshot Rory Delap strides into the room, a new World Cup football loaded in his oxter.

ARSENAL defender Bacary Sagna was dropped last month as he was struggling to cope with the two-year anniversary of the death of his brother.

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been handed a four-match ban after being sent off during the FA Cup fifth-round replay defeat against Stoke on Tuesday, the FA have confirmed.

Stoke 3 Blackburn 0

STOKE almost threw away a 3-0 half-time lead against Fulham last night but eventually clung on to end a run of six Barclays Premier League matches without victory.

Stoke 3 Fulham 2

Arsenal 2 Stoke 0

SURVIVAL is now old hat for Stoke.

PHIL BROWN insisted Hull are play-off favourites after their automatic promotion hopes were dashed yesterday.

TONY MOWBRAY blamed a congested fixture list for West Brom’s failure to see off a determined Crystal Palace on Saturday.