- Baker returns for Potters on Wearside
- Burger and Stevens also start at the Stadium of Light
- Gibson, Gallagher, Pearson, Manhoef, Thompson and Bocat unavailable
Lewis Baker, Wouter Burger and Enda Stevens have been restored to the Potters’ starting XI for this afternoon’s Emirates FA Cup clash against Sunderland.
Manager Mark Robins opted to recall midfielder Baker from his loan spell at Blackburn Rovers this week and the 29-year-old is in from the outset at the Stadium of Light, where Republic of Ireland international Stevens starts for the first time since November.
Club Captain Ben Gibson is unavailable due to injury while Robins confirmed in his pre-match media briefing that forward Sam Gallagher is set to miss several weeks with the hamstring injury he sustained against Plymouth Argyle last weekend.
Ben Pearson, meanwhile, is nearing a return following his ten-month layoff, though Million Manhoef, Jordan Thompson and Eric Bocat all remain unavailable.
Bosun Lawal, who Robins confirmed will feature in under 21s football in the coming weeks as his recovery from long-term injury continues, is named among the substitutes.
Stoke City: Johansson, Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Stevens, Seko, Burger, Baker, Moran, Koumas, Cannon.
Subs: Bonham, Rose, Lawal, Gooch, Sidibe, Junho, Vidigal, Tezgel, Ennis.
Sunderland: Moore, Neil, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nien, Aouchiche, Connolly, Hume (Capt), Hjelde, Alese, Jones.
Subs: Nna Noukeu, Bellingham, Rusyn, Isidor, Samed, Mepham, Aleksic, Johnson, Ogunsuyi.