Stoke City FC

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• Founded:1863
• Manager:Tony Pulis

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Preview: Stoke v Tottenham

19 Aug 2010 - 13:40:05

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Stoke City could benefit from Tottenham's Champions League headache when they face Harry Redknapp's team at the Britannia Stadium this weekend.

Spurs are in the middle of what is proving to be a tough two-legged Champions League play-off against Young Boys and Redknapp may opt to rest several players in readiness for the second clash against the Swiss side.

The north London outfit were thought to be have been handed an easy draw when they were paired with the Bern-based outfit but appeared to have under-estimated their opponents when they fell three goals behind in the opening quarter of the match.

Although Spurs hit back to score two goals, Young Boys showed they are more than capable of knocking out last season's fourth-placed Premier League side.

Spurs certainly looked better, particularly in the first half, against Manchester City last Saturday but, after missing a host of chances had to be content with a point from a goalless draw.

Stoke are also in need of a pick-me-up after losing their opening game of the campaign, 2-1 to Wolves, and boss Tony Pulis will be desperate to get a first victory of the season on board as soon as possible.

The Potters were handed some good news this week when it was revealed that the ankle injury that forced club record signing Kenwyne Jones to be substituted in the early stages at Molineux was not serious.

The former Southampton and Sunderland star is expected to be sidelined for days after it was initially feared that he was set for several months out of action.

Pulis' only other absentee is expected to be Liam Lawrence who continues to be troubled by a groin strain.

Redknapp will almost certainly rest several players with the Young Boys match at White Hart Lane in mind, but also has several injury concerns.

Jonathan Woodgate (groin), David Bentley (ankle) and Jamie O'Hara (back) definitely miss out on Saturday, while Luka Modric and Jermain Defoe (both hamstring) are doubts.

Last season at the Britannia Stadium, Spurs returned south with all three points after a 2-1 success. After a goalless first period, Eidur Gudjohnsen gave Spurs the lead immediately after the break.

Despite having Dean Whitehead sent off, the Potters hit back to equalise when Matthew Etherington scored from the penalty spot, only for Nico Kranjcar to grab a 77th-minute winner for Redknapp's side.

Earlier in the season at White Hart Lane a late Glenn Whelan goal proved enough for Pulis' team to gain an impressive 1-0 victory.