Walters backed to score again – for Stoke

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has tipped his team-mate Jon Walters to swiftly move on from his nightmare outing against Chelsea by scoring in tonight’sFA Cup clash with Crystal Palace.

Walters had a truly miserable time of it when the Blues visited the Britannia Stadium for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League match, heading in two own-goals and missing a penalty as the Potters were beaten 4-0.

Begovic has no doubt the forward is strong enough to bounce back from that and would not be surprised to see Walters make an immediate return to form by getting on the scoresheet against Palace, who Stoke are hosting for a third-round replay after drawing 0-0 with them in the original tie on January 5.

“I don’t think anybody will worry about Jon Walters,” Begovic said.

“His character and personality won’t be affected by anything that happens to him.

“It was a couple of unfortunate incidents for him. I take the blame for the second goal because I probably should have come for the ball, but seeing him there I decided not to.

“He is a big enough character to bounce back and I am sure he will probably score a goal on Tuesday.”

The Chelsea defeat was 10th-placed Stoke’s first at home in the league since February and the heaviest they have ever suffered on their own turf in a Premier League fixture.

Manager Tony Pulis is set to make a number of adjustments to his first XI for tonight’s match.

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen looks set to come in for Begovic once again, while striker Michael Owen will be hoping to be back involved after starting the initial meeting with Palace but then missing out on a place in the squad for the Chelsea game.