Stoke start play-off with no injuries

Stoke boss Gudjon Thordarson has had few injury problems to contend with in the build up to his side’s Second Division play-off final against Brentford at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Deon Burton, who is used to the big occasion having played in the Premiership with Derby, starts in attack for the Potters.

Midfielder James O’Connor also starts after his heroics in the semi-final against Cardiff, when he scored in second-half injury-time to take the game to extra-time.

But Souleymane Oulare, who scored the winning goal for City at Ninian Park, has to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench.

Brentford were given a boost with the news that Martin Rowlands has overcome a groin injury and starts the game.

Meanwhile, influential Icelandic defender Ivar Ingimarsson lines up against a number of his compatriots in the City side.

Brentford: Paul Smith, Anderson, Ingimarsson, Powell, Dobson, Paul Evans, Rowlands, Hunt, Sidwell, Owusu, Burgess.

Subs: Gottskalksson, Boxall, McCammon, O’Connor, Theobald.

Stoke: Cutler, Clarke, Handyside, Shtaniuk, Thomas, Gudjonsson, O’Connor, Dinning, Gunnlaugsson, Burton, Iwelumo.

Subs: Cooke, Oulare, Vandeurzen, Viander, Brightwell.

Referee: G Laws (Whitley Bay)