Pulis prepared to spring a surprise

THE form book favours Ipswich Town but Stoke City boss Tony Pulis believes his side can pull off a surprise tonight, writes Derek Davis.

City slumped to their fifth consecutive away defeat on Tuesday at Wigan while the Blues made it six wins in seven games when they pummelled Burnley.

Pulis said: "They beat Burnley by six and Burnley beat us at home so there won't be many giving us much hope.

"No-one will be expecting us to beat Ipswich, apart from Stokies and our dressing room.

"But we weren't given much chance when we last went to Ipswich six months ago, but we worked terrifically hard that day and got a goal-less draw at a time when we really needed a result.

"We must go there and look to take some positives from our performance at Wigan with us and give it a shot with our best available team."

On-loan Mark Crossley was lucky to finish that game after handling the ball out of his area but was not shown a red card after conceding a free-kick.

City have since signed a new keeper in Ed de Goey after considering Andy Marshall during the close season.

Pulis said: "Ipswich are ahead of us at this time in terms of what we can afford to pay. We asked about one of their players in the summer and his wages were absolutely horrific.

"They have a lot of good players and are different to say, Wigan, who worked terrifically hard and are very direct. Ipswich move the ball very well through the centre of midfield and have a very fluent front six."

Wayne Thomas could be absent from the centre of a three-man defence after continuing to struggle with ankle ligament damage with Clint Hill looking to keep his place. Clive Clarke is struggling with a groin injury but should play.

Keith Andrews returns after missing the defeat at Wigan through suspension but the Potters will be without Marcus Hall and John Eustace, who remain suspended.