Mark Hughes faces a defensive crisis as he sweat on the fitness of Phillip Wollscheid and Erik Pieters.
The Welsh manager decided against recruiting a new centre back before the transfer window closed, and that decision could be costly as Wollscheid was forced off at Old Trafford, leaving only one natural centre half in Marc Muniesa fully fit.
Both Wollscheid and Pieters are suffering from calf injuries, but hopefully will prove their selves fit for the visit of Everton tomorrow.
Other defender Marc Wilson is out until the end of the season, whilst Geoff Cameron and Ryan Shawcross are not available for selection this weekend but should return to training soon.
Charlie Adam is also side lined with a calf strain and faces a month out.
Shay Given is back in training but the weekend has come too soon for the Irish goalkeeper.
Vital Stoke predicted eleven vs. Everton:
Butland
Johnson Muniesa Pieters Bardsley
Whelan Imbula Afellay
Shaqiri Bojan Arnautovic
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