Fitness worries for Higginbotham

Stoke full-back Danny Higginbotham is doubtful for the Barclays Premier League match against Portsmouth at Fratton Park tomorrow after a back spasm.

Higginbotham suffered discomfort during the draw with Manchester City in midweek and did not appear for the second half.

Abdoulaye Faye is sidelined through suspension after being sent off in that match while Matthew Etherington remains absent with a knee injury.

Provisional squad: Sorensen, Huth, Wilkinson, Amdy Faye, Higginbotham, Collins, Lawrence, Sidibe, Whitehead, Delap, Diao, Kitson, Beattie, Fuller, Tuncay, Pugh, Whelan, Simonsen, Begovic.