Whelan’s sights on Euro spot

Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan hopes he and his team-mates enjoy another prosperous trip to White Hart Lane when they take on Tottenham in the Premier League today.

The Potters have had their fair share of success against Spurs since being promoted to the top flight in 2008, winning four and drawing one of nine meetings in league and cup.

That has included some fruitful away-days for Tony Pulis’s men, who were only denied victory in London last season by Rafael van der Vaart’s stoppage-time equaliser.

Whelan scored the winner on that occasion and although Tottenham have been victorious in each of their last five home games in all competitions, the Republic of Ireland international is optimistic.

“It will be very difficult because Spurs are terrific at home,” Whelan said. “But we have had a couple of results down there. It is a great place to go if you can get a result.”

Tottenham are currently fourth in the table and look to be finding their feet under boss Andre Villas-Boas, the man appointed as successor to Harry Redknapp over the summer.

Their star of the season so far has been England striker Jermain Defoe, scorer of 13 goals, but Whelan is keen to stress there is quality throughout the Spurs side.

“At the moment Defoe is scoring lots of goals and doing really well, but they have 11 really great players,” Whelan said.

Stoke have been in good form themselves, with last weekend’s 1-1 home draw with Everton extending their unbeaten run to seven.

Lying ninth at the moment, the Potters have a maiden top-10 Premier League finish firmly in their sights, with the possibility of claiming a European spot.

“Results have gone for us, but there is still a long way to go until the end of the season,” said Whelan.

“It would be great if we could get into Europe through. Hopefully we will be there or thereabouts – we definitely want to kick on.”

Stoke will travel without midfielder Charlie Adam, who has been granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.