Shawcross set for fitness test

Stoke will give a late fitness test to central defender Ryan Shawcross ahead of tomorrow’s trip to face Arsenal.

The 22-year-old has a groin injury that forced him off in last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Blackburn, and is considered a major doubt for the trip to the Emirates.

Stoke are without midfielder Dean Whitehead, who is suspended. Potters boss Tony Pulis also has four other players – Ricardo Fuller, Robert Huth, Glenn Whelan and Shawcross – all one booking away from a ban.

Provisional squad: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Collins, Lawrence, Diao, Delap, Etherington, Sidibe, Beattie, Fuller, Tuncay, Whelan, Simonsen, Higginbotham, Cort.