Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross is set to make his first appearance of the season in Tuesday's home Capital One Cup tie against Chelsea following back surgery.

Striker Mame Biram Diouf is also poised to return after compassionate leave, but Spanish pair Bojan Krkic (toe) and Marc Muniesa (thigh) are doubts.

Holders Chelsea begin their defence without suspended midfielder Nemanja Matic after his dismissal at West Ham.

Forwards Loic Remy and Pedro are likely to miss the trip through injury.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (knee) and Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) are definitely out as Chelsea aim to bounce back from Saturday's defeat at the Boleyn Ground.

toke also lost at the weekend, a 2-0 home defeat by Watford ending their four-match winning streak.

"Welcoming back Ryan will be a big bonus," said Potters manager Mark Hughes. "He is captain of the club and has an influence on and off the field."
Mourinho will turn Chelsea around - Hughes

Chelsea have made a torrid start to the Premier League season, losing five of their first 10 games to languish in 15th position.

And their poor form has been compounded by manager Jose Mourinho facing more disciplinary action from the Football Association.

But Hughes, whose side are a point and a place above the Blues, says his Portuguese counterpart has the "knowledge and understanding" to turn around their fortunes.

"I don't think anyone thinks that he won't. I don't anticipate they'll be in the position they are for too much longer," said the Welshman.

"Chelsea have quality right throughout the club that will enable them to come through this moment I'm sure."


http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34577998

Let me start now because I know what will happen: Chelsea how market?

please Stoke City do not beat chelsea,someone's job
will be lost, kindly reserve the beating for Liverpool to do the Job in the EPL and besides that, kindly be informed
that,aston villa are already in danger of losing their
bottom place,as chelsea puts pressure!

i hate soccer

Mouriho last game won't be at Falling bridge sha

Stoke cirry 3:1 Chelshit

Great! I will have the house to myself for 2 hours.. I think I should call Wunmi over. I have to be the only man in Lagos that doesn't watch Soccer.

Stoke city all d way!!!

Bonus for stoke

Another defeat for chelsea....... Well But I wish them best of luck

i m so glad that Mourinho ll be sacked tomorrow. he ll draw or lose this match

hmm...Chelsea be careful. Stoke is coming with some strokes...

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I don't trust this blueband wearing boys




DO YOU NEED AN ADMIN FOR YOUR BLOG? CHECK MY SIGNATURE

YOU ALSO WANNA LAFF TIRE TODAY? CHECK MY SIGNATURE

Chelsea go chop am

Lol....chelsea Fans r u tayad of ur "Special ONE" already?

Another defeat

Chesea straigt winin 1.95. Al left on my ticket

slap1:
Let me start now because I know what will happen: Chelsea how market?

market baaaaaaad gan

If Chelsea fails to win, what happened in 1968 will happen again to their manager

If Chelsea loses this match, the next competition they should be allowed to play is Principal's Cup in Lagos.

Chelsea will crush stoke today. Up blues.

BTTS

evlyn:
i hate soccer

do you like BEDminton?

ademusiwa5:

I see you

Up chelsea...we are d best

Chelsea problem is compound and complex one, in my opinion, MUO talks anyhow, secondly that doctor that was sacked and lastly, the players are not happy the way the doctor that was treating players was handled and sacked. The best result he might get this nite would be draw

up stoke because carnival bumper is on .... google it carnival bumper

Chelsea abeg even me wey no be fan dey shame... Abeg make una remain there till u learn to v fans with small mouth... Aka touts

I pray make we no chop am today again o