Higginbotham missing for Stoke

Stoke will be without Danny Higginbotham for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Tottenham after the defender sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Higginbotham could be sidelined for up to six months with the problem, which he suffered towards the end of the Potters’ 1-1 draw with Chelsea last weekend.

There is better news regarding John Carew, though, with manager Tony Pulis optimistic the striker, who has missed three games due to a back complaint, will be able to play some part at White Hart Lane.

Two other recent absentees, Thomas Sorensen (back) and Abdoulaye Faye (hamstring), are fit again, while Jermaine Pennant should be available despite picking up a knock in training on Wednesday.

Team (from): Begovic, Sorensen, Huth, Wilson, Delap, Faye, Etherington, Whitehead, Jones, Collins, Fuller, Carew, Pugh, Whelan, Pennant, Wilkinson, Walters, Shawcross, Diao, Shotton.