Whelan and Lawrence start as subs for Stoke

Full-back Andy Wilkinson returned to Stoke’s starting line-up as manager Tony Pulis was forced into making a change in defence for the visit of bottom side Portsmouth.

With Abdoulaye Faye suspended after his sending-off in the defeat at Hull last time out Robert Huth moved into the centre to allow Wilkinson to slot in on the right.

The only other change was in midfield with Salif Diao replacing Glenn Whelan, who was only fit enough for the bench after a sustaining a groin problem playing for the Republic of Ireland.

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart made three changes from the side which lost 3-1 at Blackburn at fortnight ago.

Defender Hermann Hreidarsson, midfielder Hayden Mullins and Kanu all returned at the expense of Anthony Vanden Borre, Aaron Mokoena and Frederic Piquionne.

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Collins, Delap, Diao, Whitehead, Etherington, Beattie, Fuller.

Subs: Simonsen, Higginbotham, Whelan, Lawrence, Sidibe, Pugh, Sanli.

Portsmouth: James, Ben-Haim, Kaboul, Wilson, Hreidarsson, Brown, Mullins, O’Hara, Boateng, Kanu, Dindane.

Subs: Ashdown, Piquionne, Williamson, Vanden Borre, Webber, Smith, Hughes.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)