Tomorrow evening's Premier League opponents Stoke City will be splitting their first team squad over the coming couple of days as they play two matches in the South-West on consecutive days. Tony Pulis is taking his squad down to Devon tonight to face League Two side Torquay United tonight, and will then travel back to Somerset the next day for Tuesday evening's fixture at Huish Park.
That means that those who land on the bench or do not feature in the Monday evening game at Plainmoor will be more likely to start at Huish Park, and so we should get a better idea of their line-up once the game in Devon has been played. The Potters have just returned from a three game tour in the USA, playing sides from Columbus, Orlando and Kansas, returning to the UK on Friday. Pulis has told his club's website that he expects the Gulls and Glovers to pose very different tests:
"Both Torquay and Yeovil are in the final stages of their pre-season, so they will really be up for it. They will want to produce a good performance against Premier League opposition to set them up nicely for the start of their League campaigns. They will provide us with a big test and the cooler conditions will no doubt mean that the pace of the games will be different to those in the States."
As yet, Stoke have had a fairly low key summer in terms of transfers, with 21 year old midfielder Jamie Ness the only major arrival, from Glasgow Rangers. Right-back Ben Glasgow is another signing, with the 18 year old coming in from Arsenal on his first professional contract. They are currently trying to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Michael Kightly but it's doubtful as to whether that deal will be completed by tomorrow.
Heading out the other way, defender Danny Collins has gone to Nottingham Forest, defender Jonathan Woodgate has signed for Middlesbrough, striker Ryan Brunt has joined Leyton Orient on loan, whilst Walsall have grabbed midfielder Florent Cuvelier for six months.
Tomorrow's match kicks off at 7.45p.m. with tickets available on the day at the following tariffs:
Adults: £15.00; Vice Presidents: £20.00; Concessions: £10.00; Aged 16-21yo: £7.00; Under-16s: £3.00.
Visiting Stoke City supporters should note that the Copse Road Away Terrace will not be open for tomorrow night's fixture. Away supporters will instead be housed in the Screwfix (East) Stand. All three home sides of the Huish Park ground will be open for Yeovil Town supporters.
As far as the Glovers team is concerned, they are expected to be without Chelsea loanee Rohan Ince, who is back at Stamford Bridge following a leg injury, whilst trialist James Clarke has been let go. Three other players will require fitness tests, with Gavin Williams (calf), Byron Webster (ribs) and Keanu Marsh-Brown (groin) having sat out the last pre-season friendly with knocks.
Comment on this News Item on Facebook
or Go back to Top of Page
|
6 August 2012 : 
