Stoke will have given Danny Higginbotham until the last probable minute to prove his fitness ahead of the clash with Charlton at the Britannia.
Higginbotham was forced out of the midweek defeat at Rochdale with an ankle injury however a scan Wednesday said no serious damage and he has an outside chance of continuing his fledgling partnership with Ryan Shawcross at the heart of the Potters' defence.
Man Utd loanee Shawcross has scored in both games so far this season and will be hoping to cap a remarkable hat trick against Alan Pardew's side.
Elsewhere Steve Simonsen will return in place of Russell Hoult in goal after being rested at Spotland and there should also be recalls for Dominic Matteo and Ricardo Fuller.
Richard Cresswell opened his Potters account against the League 2 side and will be hoping to start in his preferred position up front after playing wide left in last weekend's triumph at Cardiff.
Luke Varney must wait to make his Charlton debut as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury.
The striker, a summer signing from Crewe, has stepped up his training however the trip to Stoke comes too soon.
Izale McLeod, who made his full debut in the midweek Carling Cup triumph over Swindon, would retain his place up front alongside either Marcus Bent or another new recruit, ex Potter Chris Iwelumo.
Experienced midfielder Matt Holland is recuperating from a cartilage operation and even though fellow midfielder Jerome Thomas (hamstring) is fit again, he would struggle to oust the impressive Lloyd Sam.
Zheng Zhi and Therry Racon have a full week of training under their belts and will push for places in the squad, whilst in defence Chris Powell and Ben Thatcher will vie for the left back slot.
13 08 2007
Charlton have secured the signing of French midfielder Therry Racon on a 4 year-deal.
The 23 year old completed his transfer to The Valley for 550,000 euros [£370,000] from French Ligue 2 side Guingamp, and manager Alan Pardew thinks his new signing will provide competition amongst his midfield ranks.
"He is a central midfielder with fantastic athletic ability and agility and I like the look of his composure," Pardew informed the club's official website.
"It is an area I felt we needed to strengthen and both he and ZiZi [Zheng Zhi] will be strong competition for the likes of Darren Ambrose, Jose Semedo and Matty Holland. He's a young player finding his way, however we have high expects for him. We feel we have had good success with Yassin Moutaouakil since he was here, and Therry is coming from the same division."
Racon follows Zhi through the Charlton entrance door, and both were paraded in front of the Addicks faithful before their 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe on the opening day of the season.
