The Potters are looking to put the disappointment of conceding a late goal at Sunderland in mid-week behind them as they travel to Norfolk to try and rekindle their Premiership ambitions.
Vital Quotes:
Former Stoke star, Luke Chadwick may start for the Canaries after suffering an injury in his debut for them whilst on loan from Stoke last year. He told their official site that he was relishing the opportunity to get back playing football: ‘I’ve never been so frustrated in my life really. It’s been a terrible start to me career with Norwich but hopefully now it’s all behind me and I can have a good career here.
‘They (Stoke) have got a strong team and they play a certain way which makes it tough to play against and break them down which I know from first hand. But I’m sure with the players we’ve got here we’ve got a great chance of beating them on Saturday.’
Well he’s got to say that, hasn’t he?
Norwich City Team News:
Norwich come into the match on the back of a surprise 1-0 win against Birmingham in midweek which has left in relative mid table security after an indifferent season.
Peter Grant is expected to be able to name an unchanged starting eleven for the third match in a row, unless he gives Chadders the nod against his old club after he came on as a sub in the match on Tuesday night.
Player to watch: Dickson Etuhu
The former Preston player has impressed his manager in the last couple of games and Grant thinks he can do even better.
Stoke City Team News:
Tony Pulis is likely to continue with the same line-up that worked well at Sunderland but should also have Lee Martin available again after recovering from a slight hamstring injury that forced him to miss Tuesday night’s clash. He has the advantage of being able to keep Norwich guessing as to whether he will start with Ricardo Fuller or Jon Parkin up front.
Player to watch: Carl Hoefkens
Carl relished his chance to play in midfield on Tuesday instead of being restrained in defence, proving the point by scoring the Potters’ second goal.
Match Facts & Stats
Stoke thrashed a depleted Canaries 5-0 in the home leg back in October. Whilst Norwich have Darren Huckerby back this time round, Stoke will still fancy their chances as they race for a play-off place.
Next Fixtures:
Sat 31st March: Leicester City (home) kick-off: 3pm
Sat 7th April: West Brom (away) kick-off: 3pm
Mon 9th April: Crystal Palace (home) kick-off: 3pm
Sat 14th April: Cardiff (away) kick-off: 3pm
