The Lowdown

Stoke City are on the verge of playing top flight football for the first time in 23 years and manager Tony Pulis has complete belief that his squad has the ability to clinch a place in the top two and reach the promised land of the Premier League.

The Potters have enjoyed a sensational season after threatening to gatecrash the promotion party for a couple of seasons now.

Armed with a highly talented squad, Pulis has successfully strengthened the playing ranks at the Britannia Stadium with a raft of successful loan signings, pretty much all of whom have come in and proved that you do not necessarily have to be on the books of the Club full-time to want success as much as established squad members.

Pulis has regularly raided top flight clubs to snare top class personnel who may not have been getting as many first team opportunities as they would have liked and have relished the opportunity to drop down a level and aid the Potters in their quest to achieve promotion.

Indeed, many have gone to turn their loan move into a permanent signing such as hugely influential defenders Ryan Shawcross and Leon Cort, who have not only performed admirably at the back but weighed in with an impressive eight goals apiece.

And the Stoke boss has little doubt that this season could prove to be a successful one, after falling just short of a play-off finish last term in eighth spot.

"I think we'll do it," was the former Gillingham and Plymouth bosses' quickfire response when asked about his side's chances prior to Monday night's clash with Crystal Palace.

"I think we are good enough," he continued, "and I think we will do it. And I've no doubt the players will relish the challenge.

"It's important now that we just give it our best shot. No-one can throw anything at us if we fail by giving it a go."

Pulis added: "I still say last year's team was good enough to be promoted, but we only had them for 29 games out of 46. I hope this group can stick together and handle the pressure that comes with success.

"I really, really enjoy the build-up of the last month or so when we've gone to the top and I want them to enjoy it as well."

Current Form

Monday night's 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace saw Stoke lose their grip on a place inside the top two.

Like many of the sides vying for an automatic spot, the Potters have been stuttering lately and come into today's game with only one win from their last eight league outings, although before the loss to the Eagles they had gone on a five match unbeaten sequence.

The Potters have drawn four of their last six matches, winning just one away to Norwich. In their last six away games they have won two, drawn two and lost two.

Star Man: Riccardo Fuller

Fuller returned from a two-match ban for Stoke's televised clash with Crystal Palace on Monday night and will be keen to get back amongst the goals this afternoon.

The Jamaican international was forced into a spell on the sidelines after accruing ten yellow cards and will certainly be welcomed back by boss Tony Pulis to add some punch to the Potters' attack.

The 28-year-old signed for the Potters on transfer deadline day in August 2006 on a three-year-contract.

The 6'3" hitman opted for a switch to the Potteries after spending two seasons on the south coast with Portsmouth and Southampton.

After originally making his name at Preston - following spells with Crystal Palace and Hearts - he earned a move south after hitting 31 goals in 63 appearances at Deepdale - moving to Pompey for a cool £1m.

Injuries hampered the start of his career at Fratton Park, restricting him to 13 starts and 18 substitute appearances in the Premiership, but after Pompey boss Harry Redknapp moved to local rivals Southampton, Fuller followed for a fee of £90,000 in the summer of 2005.

The powerful and pacy striker immediately won over the City faithful with a number of exceptional displays, bagging ten goals from just 25 appearances.

He has carried on his impressive form this season, and currently has 14 goals to his credit.

Last Time we Met

2/12/06: Coventry 0 Stoke 0, Ricoh Arena

Just a month after Andy Griffin's stunning long range effort gave Stoke a 1-0 win over the Sky Blues at the Britannia Stadium last season, City battled out a goalless draw with the Potters at the Ricoh at the start of December.

A game of few chances ended in stalemate but it was the Sky Blues who came closest to victory with Dele Adebola denied by the woodwork during stoppage time at the end of the first half.