England Premier League Media

Stoke defender Robert Huth said that it was a proud moment to captain the team in their FA Cup quarter-final defeat by his former club Chelsea.

“The manager [Tony Pulis] thought I could do the job, which is nice,” defender Huth told BBC Radio Stoke.

“I didn’t know anything about it until an hour before the game, so I didn’t have much time to think about it.”

Goals from England pair Frank Lampard and John Terry condemned the Potters to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

“It was a weird game because normally we play with a bit higher tempo, but they had a lot of opportunities in the game and it was probably a fair result,” continued the Germany international.

Pulis added that the target now for Stoke, currently 11th in the Premier League, is to reach 40 points and maintain their top-flight status for a third year.

“We have to put everything into context, and we have to make sure that we pick up some results in the league,” he told BBC Radio Stoke.

“We’ve had a smashing season so far, but we mustn’t take our foot off the pedal.”

Stoke travel to Burnley on Wednesday, with midfielder Glenn Whelan doubtful after picking up a hamstring injury against the FA Cup holders.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates says that Ryan Shawcross’s tackle which broke Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey’s leg was just part of football.

Shawcross was sent off for the tackle and left the field in tears.

“He’s nothing to reproach himself for, it was very unfortunate,” Coates told BBC Radio Stoke.

“It does happen in professional football. When you’ve got a game as intense and quick as it is in the Premier League, things can go wrong.”

Coates continued: “It’s a real shame, but Ryan simply has got to understand that it’s the game we’re in and it can happen.

“Rory Delap had a double fracture in his first game for us and was out for eight months, but we accepted it as part and parcel of the game.

“Nobody goes out to do these things, but they can happen and I’m sure that some time in the future it will happen again.”

Coates admitted that the events of Saturday took the shine of what should have been a celebratory moment for Shawcross, his first call-up for the full England squad and the first for a Stoke player since Mark Chamberlain in 1984.

“We’re really pleased for him,” he continued. “It’s a recognition of how far he’s come and we’re not surprised [with the call-up] because we think he’s one of the best young centre-backs in the Premier League.”

Shawcross reported for duty with his England team-mates on Monday, ahead of the friendly against Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday.

Brighton and Hove Albion have signed Stoke City midfielder Diego Arismendi on loan until the end of the season.

The Uruguay international joined the Premier League club in the summer from Nacional for a reported 3m.

The 22-year-old has yet to play in the Premier League and has made only two Carling Cup appearances for the Potters this season.

Arismendi will join up with the Brighton squad in time for Monday’s trip to Colchester in League One.

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross has been defended by his team-mates after his challenge on Aaron Ramsey saw the young Arsenal midfielder suffer a broken leg.

Shawcross, 22, was sent off for the tackle, but Danny Pugh and Rory Delap said he did not mean to hurt Ramsey.

“There was no malicious intent from Ryan, he’s not that kind of player,” midfielder Pugh told BBC Radio Stoke.

Delap said: “He’s a committed player, but he’s never going to go into a challenge looking to hurt someone.”

He added: “Everyone knew straight away what had happened. The referee [Peter Walton] said it wasn’t meant, but because of the injury he had to send Ryan off.”

Pugh continued: “No one wants to go out and hurt a fellow professional, Ryan more than most. He’s a good lad, he’s not a malicious player and he’s been unlucky that that’s happened.”

Shortly after being driven away from the Britannia Stadium by his parents, Shawcross received his first call-up to the full England squad for the friendly against Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday.

Following the challenge there was a lengthy delay while Wales international Ramsey, 19, was treated on the pitch, with players from both sides visibly shaken.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described the tackle by Shawcross as “horrendous” and “not acceptable”, but Pugh refuted claims that Stoke are a dirty team.

“I don’t think we are, we’re fully committed. We don’t go out to hurt anyone, we just give 100% in every game,” he added.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: “It’s an unfortunate injury, it looks a poor challenge, but Ryan Shawcross has not got any bad blood in him whatsoever.

“There’s no way in a million years that he would ever, ever go out to hurt a person. He’s a lovely kid and he’s been exemplary since he’s been at this football club. It was breaking his heart coming off the pitch.

“The game drops into insignificance really in respect of the injury. We just wish Ramsey all the best, we hope he recovers quickly. It’s a desperately sad blow for Arsenal.”

Shawcross, himself, released a statement on the official club website, reading: “There was absolutely no malice in the challenge. I would never, ever go out to hurt a fellow professional.

“I am deeply upset that Aaron has suffered such a bad injury and my thoughts are with him. I would like to send him my best wishes too for a speedy recovery.”

Burnley’s attempts to nullify the long-throw threat of Stoke’s Rory Delap in Wednesday’s league clash backfired.

The Clarets moved the advertising boards closer to the pitch in an effort to disrupt Delap’s run up and delivery.

However, the ploy failed when Mamady Sidibe flicked on one of Delap’s trademark missiles for Tuncay to score the opener in a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.

“We noticed what they had done as soon as we came out but we got on with it,” said Stoke boss Tony Pulis.

His Burnley counterpart Brian Laws had the hoardings moved to within five feet of the touchline in a cunning effort to try and counter Delap and his not-so-secret weapon of mass assistance.

But the 33-year-old simply ran around the lengthy barrier to provide his 10th throw-in assist of the season.

“They have to do what they have to do. You take it and get on with it,” added Pulis.

“I don’t care where a goal comes from. It is always satisfying scoring.

“Because he was a javelin thrower as well, Rory has that technique obviously down to a treat.”

David Nugent’s headed finish earned relegation-threatened Burnley their first point in five games in a scrappy encounter at Turf Moor.

Stoke opened the scoring in familiar fashion when Rory Delap’s long throw was flicked on by Mamady Sidibe for Tuncay to head in from six yards.

Nugent levelled when he rose above Robert Huth to head in Martin Paterson’s deep cross.

But Burnley could not find the winner to take them out of the bottom three.

Stoke’s fine form had seen Tony Pulis’ side six points better off than they were at the same stage last year and almost free of relegation worries.

Burnley on the other hand had won just once in 17 league games and the solid home form that sustained them earlier in the season had deserted Brian Law’s side.

And the difference between the two showed early on, where Burnley too often looked edgy and rushed while Stoke played like a side under no pressure and completely at ease with their gameplan.

Abdoulaye Faye flicked Liam Lawrence’s cross wide with his left foot after just three minutes to signal Stoke’s intent.

And when Burnley did finally fashion an effort, Jack Cork tried to square his pass to Paterson when he should have gone it alone – and his short ball was cut out.

For Stoke, looking to win back-to-back away matches for the first time in the Premier League, the opening goal was to come from a tried and tested formula.

Delap’s fourth attempt at a long throw yielded its usual devastating reward when Sidibe beat three Burnley defenders to flick the ball on towards the edge of the six-yard box.

Tuncay was quickest to react and powered his header past Brian Jensen for his fifth goal of the season.

Burnley should have levelled after 38 minutes, but when Chris Eagles found space and crossed to Paterson unmarked on the far post, the Northern Ireland striker scuffed his shot wide of the post.

However, the home side started the second half with a far higher tempo and were immediately rewarded.

Paterson, bright and full of endeavour throughout, crossed from the edge of the 18-yard box for Nugent to rise highest and score his sixth goal of the season with a strong header.

After the equaliser Burnley looked the better side and the Clarets had chances to secure the win which would have pulled them out of the relegation zone.

Eagles tested Thomas Sorensen with a long-range effort but the Danish keeper got across to make the save diving to his right.

And captain Graham Alexander shot wide as Burnley pressed for the winner.

With the home crowd urging their side on, the chances, albeit never clear-cut, came primarily for Burnley but substitute Kevin McDonald’s cross-cum-shot looped agonisingly wide of Sorensen’s right post.

Burnley manager Brian Laws:

“Everyone expects Burnley not to be in the Premier League next year but we believe it. We have goals in us. We just have to keep it tight at the back.

“I will take a lot of things out of the game particularly the second half performance. They bullied us in the first half.

“The players could have felt sorry for themselves but responded magnificently.

“Nugent’s goal was terrific, it was great ball in by Paterson. It set the tone and I am disappointed we didn’t go on and win the game.”

Stoke boss Tony Pulis:

“We’ve had a lot of games lately against the bigger clubs and it takes a bit out of you. I thought we started the second half really flat.

“Give Burnley credit they had a right go and had the crowd behind them. We were down to the bare bones.

“We are still wearing nappies when the comes to the Premiership and we won’t take any team lightly, certainly not a team near the foot of the league.

“We are desperate to get 40 points, that’s our target.”

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Stadium of Light Date: Monday, 1 February 2010 Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio & live on ESPN

Sunderland’s Lee Cattermole and Kieran Richardson could both miss out following injuries they sustained in the midweek defeat at Everton.

Phil Bardsley (hamstring), Anton Ferdinand (ankle) and Michael Turner (knee) remain on the sidelines.

Stoke are at full strength after Abdoulaye Faye recovered from a calf strain.

The Potters are likely to start with Ricardo Fuller and Mamady Sidibe in a two-man strikeforce.

Sunderland

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Cattermole (back), Richardson (calf)

Injured: Bardsley (hamstring), Ferdinand (ankle), Nosworthy & Turner (knee)

Stoke City

Suspended: None Doubtful: None Injured: None

As manager of a team nicknamed the Black Cats, Steve Bruce must be thinking that bad luck really does follows his side around.

A shocking run of form has seen thoughts of qualifying for Europe be replaced by the spectre of relegation, while a consistent spate of injuries has left him unable to pick a settled team.

Bruce has talked of the next two games defining Sunderland’s season and, while home matches against Stoke and Wigan certainly look winnable, the soft core and defensive frailties that have hindered his side in recent times mean nothing can be taken for granted.

Stoke were without a match in midweek, giving them more time to bask in their powerful destruction of Arsenal in the FA Cup. They are unbeaten in 2010 and look to have rediscovered the menace that made them a side to fear last season.

While other teams have been left to rue mismanagement, the chopping and changing of managers and the prospect of financial meltdown, Potters boss Tony Pulis has highlighted the way his chairman Peter Coates runs Stoke as the benchmark for other clubs to follow.

Victories over the likes of Arsenal can only have raised the profile of the club as they continue to establish themselves as a Premier League force and try to help them pull off a marquee signing like Ruud van Nistelrooy, who they missed out on last week.

Head-to-head

The two sides have met 134 times, Sunderland have won 59 matches, Stoke 42 and there have been 33 draws.

Stoke have failed to win in their last seven visits to Sunderland, losing four and drawing three.

Sunderland

Sunderland have only won one of their last 13 Premier League matches (v Arsenal) and have picked up only three points in their last nine games.

The Black Cats have leaked 18 goals in their last six league games.

This is Sunderland’s first Premier League fixture at the Stadium of Light since they played Everton on Boxing Day.

Stoke City

After failing to win their last six matches of 2009, Stoke are unbeaten in 2010.

The Potters’ only away victory in the Premier League this season came at White Hart in a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Sunderland

Bent: 15 goals (14 league); Jones: 6 goals (6 league)

Stoke City

Fuller: 5 goals (1 goal); Etherington: 4 goals (2 league);
Tuncay: 4 goals (4 league – 2 for Middlesbrough)

Referee: Howard Webb

Assistant referees: Nigel Bannister & Richard West

Fourth official: Kevin Friend

Sunderland (L0-2 v Everton, a): Gordon; Mensah, Nosworthy (Da Silva 59), Kilgallon, McCartney, Henderson, Cattermole (Reid 46), Cana, Zenden, Richardson (Jones 25), Bent. Subs not used: Fulop, Malbranque, Campbell, Meyler.

Stoke City (D1-1 v Liverpool, h): Sorensen; Higginbotham, Huth, Shawcross, Faye (Wilkinson 26), Diao, Whitehead, Sanli, Delap (Lawrence 24), Etherington, Sidibe (Fuller 66): Subs not used: Simonsen, Collins, Whelan, Pugh

Stoke scorer: Kitson 43

Stoke are close to signing Portsmouth’s goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for 2m after the Bosnian international had been linked with a move to Tottenham.

The Potters had been linked with his Portsmouth colleague David James, but BBC Stoke says they now seem keen on Pompey’s first-choice keeper instead.

Begovic, 22, joined Pompey in 2003 and has made 21 appearances this season.

If he does leave Portsmouth, it will be a fresh blow for the Premier League’s bottom side, who have debts of 60m.

All season, they have been plagued by financial trouble and boardroom upheaval.

They have failed to pay their players on time several times, are the subject of a winding-up petition and legal action from former player Sol Campbell, and have only recently had a transfer embargo lifted.

Chief executive Peter Storrie has also revealed transfer deals are going on behind his back, and admitted he and manager Avram Grant both had good reason to walk away from the club, but they would not as “neither of us are quitters.”

Stoke City coach Mark O’Connor insists Danny Higginbotham has been one of their best players since winning back his place in the team.

The 31-year-old has earned praise after returning to the team in December.

O’Connor told BBC Radio Stoke: “The manager has had some difficult choices to make. Danny was in the team and then out of the team.

“His attitude has been terrific and his performances have been up there with the best in the team.”

The former Manchester United trainee started the first four Premier League matches of the campaign, but then lost his place to Danny Collins following his 2.75m arrival from Sunderland.

But injuries to Ryan Shawcross and Abdoulaye Faye allowed Higginbotham back into the side.

The versatile defender, who can play at left-back or centre-back, has started the last seven matches for the Potters including the 3-1 victory over Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

“That’s what you have a squad for, we needed people to step in at the weekend,” said O’Connor.

“Glenn Whelan, Ricardo Fuller and Danny Collins all came in and we ended up beating Arsenal, so it shows you that our squad has some strength to it.”