Stoke v Chelsea preview

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has no fresh injury concerns to contend ahead of a home date with Chelsea.

Defender Marc Wilson and midfielder Rory Delap, who have been sidelined by a broken leg and hernia problem respectively, remain the only definite absentees for the Potters.

Pulis is expected to shuffle his pack again after making changes for last weekend's 0-0 FA Cup third round draw at Crystal Palace, where the likes of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and striker Kenwyne Jones were rested.

John Terry is closing on a return to fitness and will make the travelling squad, having come through a run-out for Chelsea's U21 side on Thursday unscathed, but the Blues will not be rushing their skipper back into action and he is expected to remain on the sidelines alongside the likes of Oriol Romeu and Yossi Benayoun (both knee).

Petr Cech may come back into contention, with the Czech keeper nursing a groin complaint, but Ross Turbull will continue to deputise between the sticks if he does not make it.

Rafa Benitez may decide to mix things up elsewhere, with Demba Ba looking to make his Premier League debut for the Blues and Frank Lampard hoping to slot back into midfield after being dropped to the bench for cup duty on Wednesday.