Sorensen to start at Wembley

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has confirmed Thomas Sorensen will play in goal in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Bolton Wanderers.

Asmir Begovic has been Stoke’s first-choice goalkeeper for much of the Premier League season but Sorensen has deputised in cup competitions.

“Thomas has lost his place but has played in the cup and been outstanding in those games,” Pulis said on Thursday.

“Thomas is a top goalkeeper, captain of Denmark and obviously he will want to play every week.”

“Asmir Begovic has come in and done smashing and that is what competition is all about.”

“We want to keep Thomas at the club and we’re currently in talks about his future.”

Pulis insisted Bolton are favourites ahead of the game.

Stoke are only in their third season as a Premier League side and Pulis said that gave Bolton a big advantage.

“To be honest, they have more experience than us in the Premier League – they’re more established than we are,” he said.

“They have more players who have played at Wembley and understand the stadium and the crowd.”

“But it’s a one-off game and you never know what might happen.”

“We will go there and give it our best shot.”

“The main thing is the players enjoy it and put on a good show.”

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere, the city is buzzing.”

This weekend’s league action could see Stoke dragged closer to the relegation zone but Pulis insisted he will not be distracted by that.

“We will just be concentrating on the FA Cup game on Sunday,” he said.

“There are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes you could think about but there is nothing we can do about the league results this weekend.”

“After that, we have a very tough Premier League game away to Aston Villa.”

“I would like to win the FA Cup and stay in the Premier League.”

Long-term injuries to defender Danny Higginbotham and striker Mamady Sidibe aside, Stoke have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash.