Meet the Opposition

FACT FILE STOKE CITY

CLUB DETAILS SOCIAL MEDIA FACILITIES

OWNER bet365 Group TWITTER @stokecity STADIUM bet365 Stadium NICKNAME The Potters INSTAGRAM @stokecity OPENED 1997

FOUNDED 1863 FACEBOOK @stokecity CAPACITY 30,089

THE GAFFER The former Northern Ireland boss is embarking on his first full season in charge of Stoke, having steered them clear of danger to a 15th-place finish last term. Ex-midfielder O’Neill turned out for 13 different clubs during his playing days, before beginning his managerial career with Brechin City and Shamrock Rovers. Then followed his nine-year stint with Northern Ireland, who he led to the European Championship finals for the first time in 2016. MICHAEL O’NEILL

CLUB CAPTAIN Shawcross misses out today as he continues to recover from the ongoing injury problems that limited him to just five appearances last season. Captain at the bet365 Stadium for the past decade, the defender is now in his 14th season with the Potters, for whom he has racked up 450 appearances in all competitions. The 33-year-old began his career at Manchester United, but made just two senior appearances at Old Trafford. RYAN SHAWCROSS

STADIUM

MEET THE OPPOSITION

After a 10-year stint in the Premier League, Stoke are now in their third season back in the Championship after suffering relegation from the top-flight alongside the Swans in 2018. Tony Pulis guided them to an FA Cup final appearance in 2011, which led to a Europa League campaign, before Mark Hughes oversaw three successive ninth-place finishes in the top-flight.

A 1972 League Cup victory brought them their only piece of major silverware, but their attempts to return to the Premier League have not matched expectations after keeping together what looks a strong squad on paper.

STOKE’S FORM Despite a sluggish start to the Championship season, Stoke headed into the international break with plenty of momentum on their side.

After failing to score in their opening two league games, the Potters embarked on a four-match unbeaten run, while overcoming Wolves and Aston Villa on their way to reaching the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

They have since beaten Luton and drawn with Barnsley, and will be looking to maintain their impressive recent record against the Swans, which has brought them five wins in the last six meetings between the sides.

THE KEY MEN The Potters added to their attacking quality in the summer by signing the experienced Steven Fletcher, who joins forces with the likes of Tyrese Campbell, James McClean and Sam Vokes.

They also strengthened in the middle of the park with the arrival of two-time Premier League title winner John Obi Mikel, while Wales international James Chester came in to bolster the defence.

In goal, Adam Davies has made the number-one jersey his own after deputising for the injured Jack Butland towards the end of last term.

ONES TO WATCH

POSITION DF

NATION AGE 31

Chester joined Stoke on a permanent deal in the summer following an initial loan spell at the bet365 Stadium last season. With over 400 career appearances, the centre-half brings plenty of experience to the Potters’ back line. The Wales international, who was part of the side that reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals, represented Hull and West Brom in the Premier League, while making over 100 Championship appearances for Aston Villa.

JAMES CHESTER

JOHN OBI MIKEL

The experienced Mikel is embarking on his third spell in England, having arrived from Trabzonspor during the summer. The midfielder enjoyed a trophyladen decade with Chelsea; winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, as well as the Champions League and Europa League. The former Nigeria international, who has also turned out for Lyn, Tianjin TEDA and Middlesbrough during his career, represented the Eagles at two World Cups, while captaining them to a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics.

POSITION MF

NATION

AGE 33

POSITION MF

NATION AGE 31

Now in his third season with Stoke, McClean is approaching 100 appearances for the Potters. The winger was directly involved in 14 goals for his side last term; scoring seven and assisting seven. The 31-year-old has turned out for Sunderland and West Brom in the Premier League; racking up over 150 appearances along the way. The Republic of Ireland international has played 73 times for his country, while representing them at two European Championships. JAMES McCLEAN

TYRESE CAMPBELL

Academy graduate Campbell is looking to build on his tally of nine goals in the Championship last season. It was a productive campaign for the former Manchester City youngster, who established his place in the starting line-up and signed a new long-term contract with the Potters. Campbell is the son of exArsenal and Everton striker Kevin, who also played for Nottingham Forest and West Brom in the Premier League.

POSITION MF

NATION

AGE 20

POSITION FW

NATION

AGE 33

Fletcher joined Stoke in August on a free transfer following his departure from Sheffield Wednesday. The Scottish striker, who topscored in two of his four seasons at Hillsborough, brings plenty of experience to the Potters’ attack, having turned out for Burnley, Wolves and Sunderland in the Premier League. He is one of only five players to net multiple hattricks for Scotland; achieving the feat against Gibraltar home and away in 2015.

STEVEN FLETCHER