Midfield
Mark Hughes has Stephen Ireland out with a fractured leg and Ibrahim Afellay out with knee injury.
The current duo at the central defensive midfield position, Glenn Whelan and Geoff Cameron, has given a much-needed pivot to the team. They have highly successful in keeping the ball moving out of tight positions keeping a fluidity in the team.
Hughes has the likes of Charlie Adams on the bench for him, who could always provide an extra depth in the midfield position with his ever dependable left foot.
The player who has been the star for the team at the moment is Joe Allen. The Wales midfielder has netted 4 times in 9 appearances already.
Attack
The only position where Mark Hughes has a plethora of talent is the attack. With Xerdan Shaqiri on the left wing and Marko Aranutovic on the right, Stoke really has the prowess to score at will.
Aranutovic has seen 4 yellow cards, which makes him a risk for suspension.
At the middle, Wilfred Bony continues to take his position despite dismal performances. However, Hughes has the likes of Peter Crouch and Diouf to take his position if things don’t work.
Stoke also have a brilliant secondary option in Bojan Krkic who has 1 goal this season till now.
