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Stoke's new signing Robert Huth will go straight into the squad for Saturday's visit of Sunderland.

Huth could even start in central defence if Ryan Shawcross, who has been struggling with his latest bout of growing pains, fails a late fitness check.

James Beattie should be fit to return in attack after recovering from the knee injury which forced his early withdrawal at Birmingham last Saturday.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is certain to revert to his full strength team after making 11 changes for Tuesday's Carling Cup victory at Leyton Orient.

Sunderland defender Danny Collins is not expected to be included in the squad as the Potters attempt to sign him.

But keeper Craig Gordon could retain his place in the starting line-up after returning from knee surgery in Monday night's 4-1 Carling Cup win at Norwich with Marton Fulop struggling with a heel problem.

Fraizer Campbell was left battered and bruised by his collision with Canaries' keeper Ben Alnwick, but is expected to be fit, while midfielder Andy Reid, who scored twice, was one of several men to impress Steve Bruce after he rested nine of his key men.

Teams:

Stoke (from): Sorensen, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Whitehead, Delap, Whelan, Etherington, Beattie, Fuller, Huth, Simonsen, Kitson, Cresswell, Pugh, Griffin, Cort, Amdy Faye.

Sunderland (from): Fulop, Gordon, Carson, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Nosworthy, Da Silva, McCartney, Cana, Cattermole, Richardson, Reid, Malbranque, Leadbitter, Henderson, Tainio, Edwards, Bent, Jones, Campbell, Healy