CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

RYAN Shawcross's availability after serving his three-match suspension suggests there will be at least one change in the back four.

The 22-year-old should return to central defence and will be guaranteed a warm welcome from the Britannia faithful after the fall-out from his challenge on Aaron Ramsey, which left the Arsenal player with a broken leg.

Both Abdoulaye Faye and Danny Higginbotham had fine games in the centre against Aston Villa last week, but Higginbotham is the most likely to make way.

Expect him to be shifted across to left-back, meaning Danny Collins is dropped to the bench.

Robert Huth continues at right-back ahead of Andy Wilkinson and Thomas Sorensen continues to hold off the threat of Asmir Begovic in goal.

Tottenham are expected to continue with their red-hot pairing of Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Russia international Pavlyuchenko has fully justified Harry Redknapp's decision to put him in the side by scoring eight goals in his last six games.

MIDFIELD BATTLE

GLENN Whelan is a fitness doubt, so Liam Lawrence is on standby to return to the midfield.

Should Whelan fail to make it, Dean Whitehead will switch from the right to partner Rory Delap in central midfield. That gives Lawrence a chance on the right, although he will have to combine attacking efforts with trying to stop Tottenham's in-form left-sided midfielder Gareth Bale.

However, Stoke have a major threat of their own in left-winger Matthew Etherington, who plays his third game after returning from a knee injury.

Spurs are expected to line-up with Niko Kranjcar on the right.

Wilson Palacios is their ball winner in the centre, giving Luca Modric the freedom to get forward.

Modric has been moved in from the left because of injuries to central midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas. With Aaron Lennon and David Bentley also on the injury list, Tottenham have been stretched in midfield. However, Modric has shone, as has Bale after taking over the left-midfield duties.

CUTTING EDGE

TUNCAY'S reaction to being substituted last week, plus Ricardo Fuller's dynamic efforts replacing him, should mean the Jamaican gets the nod up front tomorrow.

The deep-lying striker role looks like going to Mama Sidibe, although Dave Kitson provides some competition.

Tottenham have been without Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate in central defence through injury, but Michael Dawson has impressed since returning to the side. He is expected to partner the reliable Sebastien Bassong, who played at the Britannia for Newcastle last season when his arm floored James Beattie.

Fit-again Benoit Assou-Ekotto is at left-back, with Vedran Corluka on the right.

Heurelho Gomes is in goal and will be hoping to improve on an erratic performance last season in Stoke's 2-1 win at the Britannia.