PREVIEW: Stoke City v Luton Town

Hatters head to the Bet 365 Stadium this weekend
Luke Berry attempts to block a clearance during Luton's 3-0 defeat at Stoke last seasonLuke Berry attempts to block a clearance during Luton's 3-0 defeat at Stoke last season
Luke Berry attempts to block a clearance during Luton's 3-0 defeat at Stoke last season

Stoke City's push to return to the Premier League has stalled somewhat in recent weeks following a patchy run of form.

After winning 2-0 at Luton in October, Michael O'Neill's side looked like they could start to challenge the front runners in the Championship this term.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They won six of their following 11 games as a 1-0 triumph over Middlesbrough on December 5 had them as high as fifth place, just three points off leaders Norwich.

A 2-1 home defeat to Cardiff and successive goalless draws on the road was ended when Blackburn were beaten 1-0 before Christmas, as the Potters still remained firmly in the mix, a promotion push well within their grasp.

Losing 3-1 at home to Spurs in the Carabao Cup was by no means a disaster, but City's league form then started to unravel, hit by a number of draws.

Held by Coventry and Nottingham Forest, Stoke then lost to Bournemouth, before draws with Blackburn and Rotherham.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Another home defeat to Watford and two more draws were followed up by O'Neill's side being hammered 4-1 at Norwich to make it nine games without a triumph, as they had tumbled to 10th, with an automatic push for the top flight appearing to be a distant memory.

They finally enjoyed that winning feeling once more on Tuesday night, seeing off Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 on home soil as they are still well placed for a top six push, just seven points away in ninth position.

O'Neill looked to try and reshape his squad during the recent transfer window, as he brought in Sheffield United defender Rhys Norrington-Davies on loan, well known to Town fans from his spell at Kenilworth Road, and also raiding Spurs for highly-rated midfielder Jack Clarke.

Forward Rabbi Matondo came in too, the former Manchester City youngster arriving from Schalke where he had been signed for £9.5m.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There were exits too, as out went Andy Lonergan to West Bromwich Albion and Thibaud Verlinden, while trio Moritz Bauer, Liam Lindsay and Kevin Wimmer departed on loan too.

Meanwhile today, long-serving defender Ryan Shawcross exited the Bet 365 Stadium after 14 years with the Potters.

The 33-year-old, who made more than 400 appearances for the club, had his contract cancelled by mutual consent to allow him to pursue new playing opportunities in the United States, joining up with Phil Neville's Inter Miami side.

On Shawcross, joined the Potters from Manchester United in 2007, in a loan deal initially which became permanent in January 2008, chief executive Tony Scholes said: “His outstanding leadership and the consistency of his displays made him a talismanic figure for us.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He has been an outstanding role-model, both on and off the pitch, and the way he applied himself in training and matches epitomised the city of Stoke-on-Trent – hard-working, committed and loyal.

"He feels the time is right to explore new opportunities and leaves with our very best wishes.”

Manager Michael O’Neill added: “Before I came to Stoke City the one player you immediately associated with the club when it came up in conversation was Ryan, simply because of the length of time he spent here.

“He hasn’t figured as often as he would have liked over the past couple of years but his professionalism and the way he has conducted himself, both on the training ground and around the club, since I joined simply cannot be questioned.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Team news: Luton defender Tom Lockyer is out of the clash after suffering an ankle injury during Tuesday night's defeat to Cardiff City.

Matty Pearson is expected to be fit following his tight hamstring, while James Bree could also be available as well after missing the last four games.

For Stoke, Nathan Collins faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffer a fracture to his left foot.

Morgan Fox is also out with a hamstring injury, as is exciting forward Tyrese Campbell for the rest of the season, but full back Rhys Norrington-Davies is available following his suspension.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Top scorers: Hatters: James Collins (10). Potters: Nick Powell (8).

Man in the middle: Robert Jones - Taken 12 games this season including five Premier League matches, showing just 23 yellows and one red, that in the last fixture, Sheffield United's 1-0 FA Cup win over Bristol City earlier this month.

Last year he had 34 matches with 114 yellows, including one Luton game, the 1-0 win at Hull which was paramount to Town staying up.

Had two Town matches the campaign before, a 0-0 draw at Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup and 1-0 Carabao Cup reverse to West Bromwich Albion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Prior to those fixtures, Jones was in charge when Luton lose 3-0 to Coventry City in October 2017, dismissing Glen Rea.

Assistant referees are Darren Cann and Scott Ledger, with the fourth official Robert Lewis.

In charge: Michael O'Neill, 51-year-old, who made over 400 appearances for Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic, Hibernian, Coleraine and Portland Timbers out in America during his playing days.

Was capped 31 times by Northern Ireland, scoring four times, as he retired in 2004, to start a career in financial services.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Returned to football a year later, named assistant manager at Cowdenbeath, then named Brechin City boss in April 2006.

Headed to Shamrock Rovers in December 2008, reaching the group stages of the Europa League, before unveiled as Northern Ireland manager in December 2011, qualifying for the European Championships in 2016, where he reached the second round.

Turned down an offer to become Scotland manager in January 2018, but couldn't reject the advances of Stoke in November 2019, eventually resigning from his role with Northern Ireland in April last year to concentrate on the Potters.

One to watch: Steven Fletcher - vastly experienced striker began his career north of the border with Hibernian in March 2004.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After five years and over 50 goals, he was signed by Burnley for £3m in June 2009, netting 12 in 38 for the Clarets.

Headed to Wolves a year later for two seasons, scoring 24 goals in 68 appearances, as Sunderland shelled out £12m to take him to the Stadium of Light in August 2012.

Had four years with the Black Cats, on target 23 times in 108 matches, as he had a loan spell at French side Marseille, joining Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer in July 2016.

Enjoyed four years at Hillsbrough where he managed 38 goals in 136 matches, as he moved to Stoke on a free transfer in the summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Took him eight games to get off the mark for the Potters and recently had a nine game goal drought before scoring three in five to move up to seven for the season.

Friendly faces: Town manager Nathan Jones decided to leave Luton for Stoke in January 2019, with the Hatters in the middle of a League One promotion battle, joining a Potters team already in the Championship.

Struggled to get results at the Bet 365 Stadium though, winning just six games out of 38, and was sacked in November after only nine months in charge, heading back to Luton in May last year.

Town first team coach Paul Hart also joined Jones at Stoke in January 2019, after leaving his role with Notts County.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He too departed once Jones left, rejoining Luton late last season.

Attacker Tom Ince is currently on loan at Kenilworth Road from Stoke City.

Signed for the Potters from Huddersfield for £10m in July 2018, and has played 88 times, scoring nine goals, with just two substitute appearances since moving to Kenilworth Road.

Town keeper Harry Isted joined Stoke in January 2016 from Southampton and made one first team appearance, that a 1-0 defeat to Bradford City in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Left in July 2017, signing for the Hatters and has played twice for the first team so far, currently on loan with National League side Wealdstone.

For Stoke, defender Rhys Norrington-Davies spent the start of the season on loan at Luton from Sheffield United.

He played 22 times for the Hatters before deciding to leave during the transfer window, and quickly moved to Stoke where he has made four appearances so far.

Played for both: Wayne Biggins - started his career with Lincoln City as he then went to King's Lynn and Matlock before a £7,500 move to Burnley in February 1984.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Scored a host of goals for the Clarets and he got a move to Norwich for £40,000 in October 1985, then joining Manchester City in a £150,000 deal in July 1988.

Snapped up by Stoke for £250,000 in August 1989 and spent three years at the Potters scoring 53 goals in 148 games.

That saw Barnsley part company with £200,000 for him in October 1992, as he earned a move to Celtic in November 1993.

Didn't spend too long at Parkhead, returning to Stoke for £125,000 in March 1994, scoring nine goals in 33 outings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was during that spell that Biggins joined Luton on loan in for two months in January 1995.

Played nine times for the Hatters, with two goals coming in a 2-0 Division One win over Tranmere and the 1-1 FA Cup draw with Southampton.

Moved to Oxford on a free in July 1995 and had spells at Wigan and Leek before hanging up his boots in 2000 after over 20 years in the game

We've got form: Luton's record on their visits to Stoke City has been very much an up and down once since their first trip, a Southern League clash in March 18, 1912 they lost 4-3.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Town did manage a 2-1 win two years later, before having to wait until the 1950s to start regular meetings again with the two sides in the Football League by then.

Luton couldn't rediscover that winning feeling for quite a while, over 70 years in fact, leaving with all three points in December 1983, Paul Walsh with a hat-trick.

That was the start of a fine run of form with four wins from five, although it was then brought to a crushing end, losing 5-0 in Division One, November 1995.

Town then lost three in a row, but did triumph 3-1 in December 2000, although since then, Stoke have had the upper hand again, Hatters not winning for three matches and only scoring once.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In total, Luton have won six, drawn seven and lost 10 games, scoring 34 goals and conceding 44.

Last time out: Town fell to a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Stoke City in their trip to the Bet 365 Stadium last season.

The Potters took the lead on 35 minutes through James McLean, while Joe Allen added a second on the stroke of half time.

The former Liverpool midfielder then doubled his tally for the night five minutes into the second period as Luton never looked like finding a way back into the fixture.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hatters: James Shea, James Bree, Alan Sheehan (Jacob Butterfield 88), Sonny Bradley, Matty Pearson, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Luke Berry (Glen Rea 45), Andrew Shinnie (George Moncur 45), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Harry Cornick, James Collins.

Subs not used: Simon Sluga, Lloyd Jones, Callum McManaman, Kazenga Lua Lua.

Referee: Jarrad Gillett.

Attendance: 20,216.