Palace v Stoke City

Selhurst Park, Tuesday 7.45pm

Story so far

Stoke go into the game just one spot off of a play-off spot. They are in a strong position, scoring goals but doing quite well to concede a few as well.

They are always a tough side to play against but we have a very decent record against them if you discount the fact that they did the double on us last season.

The Potters arrive at Selhurst on the back of a 4-2 defeat at home against Sheffield Wednesday. Hopefully they have failed to plug the holes in their defence and we can take advantage.

However, past records and current form will have little reflection on tonight's game. Neil Warnock takes control of his first game at Selhurst Park and is expecting the support to do their bit to turn the game in our favour.

Team news

Midfielder Tom Soares is suspended after getting shown the red card at Blackpool on Saturday for an alleged stamp on ANDY Welsh.

Boss Neil Warnock said: "Yes he's caught him. But he hasn't stamped on him deliberately, he's actually run across him because he couldn't move."

Warnock could decide to shuffle his pack up front and may hand strikers Clinton MORRISON or Paul Dickov a start.

Stoke's 16-year-old midfielder Nathaniel Wedderburn has been called up to the first team squad due to injuries and is in contention to play, along with midfielder Demar Phillips.

Forward Mamady Sidibe (arm) and defender Clint Hill (ribs) are both still injured for the Potters.

Quotes

Dave Kemp, Stoke Assistant Manager said: "It's always difficult when a new manager takes over.

"I'm sure the players are running that extra yard and I'm sure the fans will be up for it but we'll be ready for it as well and we're looking forward to it.

"He likes to play at a high tempo and I'm sure he'll have his players fired up. But how long that enthusiasm will last if we go there with the right attitude and the right game plan we'll see.

"Hopefully we can quieten them down early on and then get on top of them. We're definitely looking forward to getting back to winning ways."

Neil Warnock said: "I want Selhurst Park to be a cauldron and for the crowd to be right behind us from the opening whistle.

"I want them to be disappointed with every decision that goes against us. I really believe they can be like the 12th man - if they get behind us we can move mountains.

"My message to them is don’t let me down. I want the fans to put as much into the 90 minutes as I do. We’re all in it together."

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Stoke City - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
7th	11	4	5	2	17

Full league table

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Stoke City - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
5	2	2	1	9	9

Full form table

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Our home record v Stoke City

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
22	13	3	6	38	20

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Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
09/04/2007	League	Stoke City	2 - 1	Crystal Palace
11/11/2006	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 1	Stoke City
13/03/2006	League	Stoke City	1 - 3	Crystal Palace
27/08/2005	League	Crystal Palace	2 - 0	Stoke City
14/02/2004	League	Crystal Palace	6 - 3	Stoke City

All time results

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One to watch

Ricardo Fuller

Well they say old players usually come back to haunt their previous clubs and Ricardo Fuller is no different.

Fuller has got himself on the scoresheet against Palace a number of times since leaving us 5 or so years ago.

He has fantastic ability on the ball and is a proven goal scorer. He's also a proven crock with injuries getting the better of his career over the years.

Ref watch

M Thorpe

Last meeting

Stoke City 2-1 Palace

Monday April 09 2007

Stoke City: Simonsen, Zakuani, Fortune, Higginbotham, Dickinson, Lawrence, Eustace, Hoefkens, Hendrie (Martin, 81), Parkin, Fuller (Pericard, 89)

Subs not used: Hoult, Wilkinson, Paterson

Bookings: Eustace

Goals: Parkin 20, Fuller 27

Palace: Kiraly, Lawrence, Hudson, Cort, Borrowdale, Kennedy (Scowcroft, 78), Fletcher, Soares (Martin, 68), Ifill (Grabban, 68), Morrison, Kuqi

Subs not used: Speroni, Ward

Bookings: Lawrence

Goals: Cort 30

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