Paul Lambert will continue his Stoke survival mission on Monday without Saido Berahino and Jese Rodriguez, who have both been banished for indiscipline.
Berahino continues to train with Stoke's Under-23s after twice reporting late for duty in recent weeks to top off a catalogue of misdemeanours and bring any further involvement this season into major doubt.
Jese remains AWOL having failed to return from compassionate leave in Spain and it appears inevitable the Paris Saint-Germain loanee has played his last game for the club.
Lambert's hardline approach has been welcomed by the squad and has support from board level as Stoke attempt to claw their way back from 19th place.