Stoke City host Norwich City at the bet365 Stadium with Cameroonian defender Darlin Yongwa making his Championship debut for the visitors. The Potters, currently 13th in the Championship with six points from two wins and three losses, name Viktor Johansson as captain in goal for this fixture.
Yongwa, a left-back, gets his first league start after playing an hour in Norwich's Carabao Cup victory at Cardiff. His inclusion sees Ben Chrisene drop to the bench. Norwich manager Philippe Clement makes several adjustments, with Anis Ben Slimane returning to the starting eleven and Oscar Schwartau moving back to the left side. Clement confirmed that midfielder Paris Maghoma, who returned to training on Monday, "has not travelled" for this match after a late fitness decision.
Who is missing from the Norwich squad?
Ante Crnac, Bruno Alves, and Errol Mundle-Smith are all absent from Norwich's 20-man squad for the trip to Staffordshire. The club also has several players at various stages of recovery from injury. Forward Jovon Makama is back training with the first team after being sidelined since February, but he faces a gradual return having played only 45 minutes of football in the last seven months.
Gabe Forsyth is stepping up his recovery after 18 months out. He featured in a recent internal game and returned to competitive action with the Under-21s last week. Clement stated Forsyth will continue featuring for the development side as he builds match fitness. Mirko Topic is back running on grass but remains some way off a return, while Lucien Mahovo is out until late autumn with an ankle injury. Ali Ahmed is expected to miss the whole campaign due to an ACL injury.
What is the latest on Norwich's transfer activity?
Midfielder Liam Gibbs is not in the selection and could still depart Carrow Road before the 11pm transfer deadline, with domestic interest in a loan move. Defender Jakov Medic's loan move to FC Utrecht has been confirmed. Winger Amankwah Forson looks set to join Hapoel Be'er Sheva on loan despite interest from Championship clubs Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, as well as several German clubs.
How do the two starting line-ups compare?
Stoke City manager has selected Johansson in goal, protected by a back four of Johnson, Wilmot, Graham, and Bocat. The midfield trio consists of Lawal, Soumare, and Galbraith, with an attacking line of Junho, Manhoef, and Hirst. Their substitutes are Griffiths, Anderson, Giani, Bombino, Pearson, Kelly, Rigo, Gallagher, and Bozenik.
Norwich start with Kovacevic in goal. The defence is Stacey, McConville, Cordoba, and debutant Yongwa. McLean captains the side from midfield alongside Mattsson, with Brooks, Slimane, and Schwartau supporting striker Toure. Their bench options are Grimshaw, Darling, Chrisene, Wright, Field, Diallo, Musaba, Kvistgaarden, and Fisher.
Where do Stoke City stand in the Championship?
Steven Schumacher's side enter this match with a record of two wins and three defeats from their opening five games. They have scored eight goals but conceded nine, leaving them with a minus one goal difference. The Potters are five points behind early leaders Swansea City in the title race. A lengthy injuries list includes Aaron Cresswell, Ato Ampah, Ben Gibson, Bosun Lawal, Junior Tchamadeu, and Sam Gallagher. Stoke's next fixture is an away trip to face 17th-placed Watford on September 12, a game you can find on our fixtures schedule.
