Stoke travel to promotion rivals Watford with boss Tony Pulis unable to call on Liam Lawrence and sweating over the fitness of Leon Cort.Influential midfielder Lawrence - who with 14 goals is the club's joint top scorer with Ricardo Fuller - starts a two-game ban after amassing 10 bookings this season.

Striker Mamady Sidibe and defender Cort, meanwhile, are both struggling with ankle injuries picked up in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Norwich.

Sidibe's second goal of the season helped see off the Canaries but if fails to prove his fitness it could open the door for Paul Gallagher to start. Cort's possible omission may also see Ryan Shawcross reinstated to the starting XI.

Pulis is at least boosted by the return of Glenn Whelan after the midfielder completed a two-game ban but Dominic Matteo (foot) continues to miss out.

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