Duo miss Merseyside preparation

Only Amdy Faye (suspended) and the injured Andrew Davies will be absent when Stoke finalise preparations for tomorrow’s stiff test at Liverpool with a training session at Everton this morning.

Both players missed Sunday’s defeat by Everton and Potters boss Tony Pulis’ main selection headache may concern whether to move Abdoulaye Faye back into defence after he played as a midfield anchor last weekend.

Glenn Whelan will be hoping for a recall to the Stoke midfield following his fine performances for the Republic of Ireland and he could get the nod at Leon Cort’s expense if Faye is switched.

Provisional squad: Sorensen, Griffin, Sonko, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Whelan, Olofinjana, Delap, Kitson, Fuller, Simonsen, Cort, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Tonge, Cresswell, Sidibe, Soares, Diao.