Sorensen hopes for return

Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen should be ready to reclaim his place against Manchester United after a scan revealed no serious damage to his injured fingers.

Sorensen had to withdraw from Saturday’s defeat at Blackburn after getting hurt in the pre-match warm-up and Steve Simonsen came in to deputise.

Stoke still have a string of other injury concerns, however, with Andy Griffin (knee), Salif Diao (calf), Leon Cort (groin) and Dave Kitson (knee) all rated doubtful.

Mamady Sidibe (knee) and Liam Lawrence (ankle) remain definite absentees, although both are making progress and could return early in the new year.

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