Stoke debut for Sonko against Everton

Ibrahima Sonko will make his Stoke debut as a holding midfielder against Everton in the Barclays Premier League clash at the Britannia Stadium.

The defender, a deadline-day signing from Reading earlier this month, replaced the suspended Amdy Faye.

Danny Higginbotham came in for Carl Dickinson while Thomas Sorensen and captain Andy Griffin overcame minor knocks to start.

The surprise inclusion in Everton’s line-up was Tim Cahill, who made his long-awaited return from a broken metatarsal.

Segundo Castillo and Marouane Fellaini made their debuts while Victor Anichebe was handed his first start of the season up front alongside Ayegbeni Yakubu.

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Sonko, Cort, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Abdoulaye Faye, Olofinjana, Delap, Kitson, Fuller. Subs: Simonsen, Whelan, Cresswell, Sidibe, Shawcross, Tonge, Wilkinson.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Fellaini, Anichebe, Cahill, Castillo, Arteta, Yakubu. Subs: Nash, Baines, Vaughan, Nuno Valente, Rodwell, Kissock, Baxter.

Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)