Premier League preview: Stoke v Blackpool

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is counting on two of his stars to return against Blackpool on Saturday.

Jermaine Pennant (hamstring) and Andy Wilkinson (knee) missed last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Wigan.

“We’re hoping both Jermaine and Andy will be fit and ready to go for a difficult match against Blackpool,” Pulis said.

“Jermaine has suffered a bit with his hamstrings, but he didn’t spend pre-season with us.”

Stoke have been relatively fortunate on the injury front this season, with Mama Sidibe’s Achilles problem the only major setback.

Sidibe aside, only five other players have missed a total of nine games through injury this term.

Stoke, unbeaten in their last four league games, tackle a Blackpool team whose much-anticipated match against Manchester United at Bloomfield Road last weekend was called off because of a frozen pitch.

Blackpool have won praise for playing an attractive brand of football that sees them sit in 13th place in the league standings on 19 points. Ian Holloway’s side are also currently enjoying a strong run having lost just once in their past five league games, and will no doubt provide a stern test for the hosts at Britannia Stadium.

In team news, one of Holloway’s key strikers, Marlon Harewood, who has scored five league goals this season and is the club’s join top scorer with Luke Varney, is out until the new year with a hamstring injury.