Stoke City: Match tactics for Stoke's FA Cup clash with York City

CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

RYAN Shawcross is suspended after collecting five bookings, but the 22-year-old was unlikely to be risked anyway, having only just returned from a groin injury.

In Shawcross's absence, Danny Collins is expected to start in his preferred central defensive spot.

Leon Cort played in the club's Carling Cup games, but could now be among the players available for transfer.

If Stoke don't want him cup-tied, expect Robert Huth to partner Collins in central defence, although a struggling Abdoulaye Faye might be handed the chance to play himself back into form.

Reserve team captain Andy Griffin is likely to return at right-back with Danny Higginbotham on the left.

Steve Simonsen replaces Thomas Sorensen in goal. Stoke's defenders have quality and experience, but are taking on a York strike force full of confidence and used to playing alongside each other.

The Minstermen's 25-goal leading scorer Richard Brodie has height, pace and the confidence to shoot from anywhere.

The 6ft 2in Brodie, aged 22, will partner Mark Rankine, another six-footer, up front.

Rankine isn't as prolific, but the target man is an excellent foil for Brodie.

The unselfish Rankine has improved his own game this season after working on his movement with manager Martin Foyle.

MIDFIELD BATTLE

STOKE aren't blessed with a surplus of wingers, but the in-form Matthew Etherington is likely to be saved for the Premier League game at Fulham on Tuesday.

With no Etherington on the left, Stoke are likely to give a start to fellow wide-man Liam Lawrence on the right.

The ever-reliable Danny Pugh could replace Etherington.

Stoke have plenty of options in central midfield with senior first-teamers Glenn Whelan, Dean Whitehead, Rory Delap and Salif Diao all in the frame.

York tend to play with a narrow midfield four, rather than deploy wingers.

They rely on a combative central midfield duo of Levi Mackin, formerly of Wrexham, and ex-Portsmouth player Neil Barrett.

Chris Carruthers will start on the left and the skilful Alex Lawless on the right in a settled side.

CUTTING EDGE

DAVE Kitson is back from his loan spell at Middlesbrough, but is up for sale and Stoke may be reluctant to cup-tie him.

In that case, choose two from Mama Sidibe, Ricardo Fuller, James Beattie and Tuncay.

Tuncay and Fuller together would be the most adventurous option, particularly after they tore Blackpool's defence apart in the 4-3 Carling Cup win at the Britannia in September.

However, starting with both players would be a gamble just three days before the Premier League visit of Fulham.

Fuller has been a substitute for the last three Stoke matches, so expect him to start up front, probably alongside Sidibe.

York have an outstanding defensive record, conceding just three goals in their past nine games.

It is no coincidence their miserly run has followed the arrival of Luke Graham on loan from Mansfield.

He has formed a rock-solid central defensive partnership with former Darlington defender David McGurk.

Converted centre-half Daniel Parslow provides more stability at right-back, while Aussie James Meredith has impressed on the left.

As York's defensive record suggests, former Sunderland keeper Michael Ingham has been in superb form.