Stoke City host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday hoping to improve their fortunes after finding themselves bottom of the Premier League.
Potters boosted by signing of Bony, while Butland suffers further setback
Wilfried Bony is set to start after arriving at Stoke from Manchester City on a season-long loan on deadline day. Potters boss Mark Hughes will be hoping Bony can rediscover his Swansea City form as Hughes' side have scored only two goals so far this season. The Potters are also boosted by Joe Allen’s performance in the international break where he grabbed himself his first goal for Wales.
Stoke’s main injury concern looks to be Jack Butland, still out from an ankle problem he sustained in his senior debut for England, the young Englishman has had another setback and requires further surgery. Stoke, however, have bought in former Derby 'keeper Lee Grant and he could make his debut for the Potters this weekend.
Another injury woe for Mark Hughes is Xherdan Shaqiri, who may be fit for the weekend. The winger picked up a calf injury in the draw against Middlesbrough. Their bad luck with injuries has continued after it emerged Ibrahim Afellay has suffered complications in his recovery from a long-term knee problem, while double leg-break victim Stephen Ireland is likely to be another long-term absentee.
The opposition
Tottenham will be sharing the high however after main playmaker Christian Eriksen signed a new deal with the club keeping him at the club until 2020. The 24 year-old looked to have committed his best years to the London club keeping him as a fan favourite.
Spurs last faced Liverpool in a frustrating 1-1 draw before the international break meaning they will want to start gaining some momentum to mount a serious title challenge.