Stoke City manager Tony Pulis will be able to call upon Peter Crouch for the Boxing Day visit of Aston Villa at the Britannia Stadium.
The England striker, who missed his side's 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday through illness, needs just one more goal to reach a century of league goals in his career.
Pulis may have to make do without the services of centre-midfielder Glenn Whelan because of a calf problem. Summer signing Wilson Palacios is expected to start alongside Dean Whitehead in his place.
Villa striker Darren Bent, fresh from his Christmas shopping exploits, has recovered from a thigh injury and should partner Gabriel Agbonlahor up front.
The away side will not be buoyed by the fact that they have never won a match at the Britannia.
Current form:
Stoke: LWWWWL
Villa: LDLWLL
Sports Mole says: 2-0
