Stoke midfielder Rory Delap is facing a race against time to recover from a thigh injury in order to face Ipswich this weekend.The 31-year-old missed the FA Cup clash with Newcastle with the problem and could again be stranded on the sidelines as the Potters bid to become the first team to record a league victory at Portman Road this season.

"We haven't seen him on the training field yet this week and at this stage he's very much touch and go for Ipswich," boss Tony Pulis told the Sentinel.

"Rory has played through the pain barrier plenty of times already this season and done a fine job for us in the process, but this latest setback has been a particular problem for him."

Pulis, meanwhile, is still trying to thrash out permanent deals to sign Ryan Shawcross and Andy Griffin from Manchester United and Derby respectively.

More Football News from TEAMtalk