Tony Pulis is attempting to improve Stoke's appalling record in the Carling Cup ahead of the game at Cheltenham.
Former Potter to test managerial wits
Stoke manager Tony Pulis is attempting to improve the club's appalling record in the Carling Cup ahead of Tuesday's trip to Cheltenham.
The Potters have only reached the second round once in the last seven years, suffering ignominious defeats at the hands of Rochdale, 10-man Darlington, Mansfield, Oldham (twice) and Bury along the way.
They did manage to sneak past Rochdale 2-1 in the first round in 2003-04, but were soon dumped out by Gillingham in round two.
Lfting the League Cup in 1972 after a 2-1 victory over Chelsea remains Stoke's one and only major triumph in their 145-year history.
Pulis said: "I'm aware Stoke City and me as a manager have poor records in this competition over recent years. It's time we did something about it and we will put out a decent team at Cheltenham.
"It won't be easy. I watched Cheltenham at their place twice last season and it's a tight ground and a good atmosphere. They will be out to claim our scalp and whoever we put out will have to be up for it."
Changes
However, Pulis' team are still basking in the glory of their first ever Premier League victory over Aston Villa and the side which takes the field at Whaddon Road is sure to include a mass of changes from Saturday's game.
Stoke's star men such as Ricardo Fuller and Liam Lawrence, who were both recovering from injuries when the season kicked off, are very unlikely to be risked and Pulis has a host of fringe players who he says are "desperate for a game".
The manager said: "We'll mix and match it. We've got a lot of players who are short of time on the pitch and this is an opportunity to put that right."
Pulis did suggest recent recruits Abdoulaye Faye and Amdy Faye were still a touch short of the fitness levels required and they may be included for at least part of the game.
But Steve Simonsen is almost certain to take over from first-choice Thomas Sorensen in goal, while the likes of Jon Parkin, Vincent Pericard, Danny Pugh and Lewis Buxton are likely to get the chance to put themselves in the shop window.
Injuries
Cheltenham manager Keith Downing has injury worries over midfield duo David Bird and Craig Armstrong ahead of the Carling Cup second-round tie with Stoke.
Bird and Armstrong missed Saturday's 4-0 defeat against Oldham with respective ankle and calf injuries, and Downing, a former Potters player, has given both players a 50/50 chance of being fit to face Stoke.
Midfielder Ben Gill is set to return to the squad after missing the Oldham game through suspension, but Scott Brown is likely to remain sidelined with an ankle injury.
On-loan striker Jennison Myrie-Williams has been given permission to play by parent club Bristol City, while Charlton loanee Dean Sinclair is also available, with the Addicks no longer in the competition.
However, fellow loanee Barry Hayles is set to miss out, as Leicester do not want the veteran striker to be cup-tied.
This will be the first time the teams have ever met in a competitive fixture.
