RYAN Shawcross is limbering up for a second shot at old club Manchester United today, insisting: "We're not running scared of them this time."

Stoke stand toe-to-toe with the newly-crowned world champions in a televised sell-out at the Britannia (12.45pm) ... just 41 days after being crushed 5-0 at Old Trafford.

And Shawcross is desperate to play his part in trying to atone for that drubbing by winning a recall to central defence to play alongside his 'minder' Abdoulaye Faye.

The former United trainee said: "From the start of the season until now, I think everybody can see the improvement I've made.

"I've only played with Abdy really and everybody knows what a top player he is. He's fantastic to play alongside and helps you along.

"He's already played against strikers we are playing against this season, so he always gives me advice.

"If Abdy talks to you, you listen. He's a scary character." As scary as he looks? "Yes."

Shawcross returned from a recent injury lay-off by filling in at right-back for the injured Andy Griffin at Blackburn last weekend, but is hoping to regain his favoured spot in central defence at the expense of Ibrahima Sonko.

"I made my Man United debut at right-back," he says, "so I have played there before. But I'm no Cafu. Mind you, I'd play in goal as long as I'm in the team."

Shawcross, who made his switch from United permanent in a deal totalling £2m last January, admits his first Premier League campaign has been a steep learning curve.

"Yes, definitely. Week-in, week-out there's new challenges and we need to learn from these mistakes we have been making recently.

"Concentration is the main thing for me and I want to prove I am a Premier League player."

Shawcross is confident the Britannia faithful can help swing fortunes Stoke's way today as they seek revenge for their Old Trafford beating.

"They have shown how they can lift us when we're not doing so well," he says, "and they've shown they are the best fans in the league.

"I think it will be a lot tighter this time and, as we've shown against Arsenal, the Britannia is a bit of a fortress."

Shawcross hopes to bump into Sir Alex Ferguson after missing him at Old Trafford last month, adding: "He has been a massive influence on my career. He helped me in lots of ways and I owe him a lot for that."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis, who had his players holed up in a hotel overnight, will give late fitness tests to Griffin, goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and striker Dave Kitson ahead of the game.

Griffin has missed the last two games with a knee injury. Sorensen damaged his finger during the warm-up at Blackburn last week, while Kitson has not played since suffering a knee injury against West Brom on November 22.