By Dave Knapper | Email to a friend | Digg |
Published: Wednesday 03 Sep 2008
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Squad named to face Aston Villa reserves tonight

Danny Higginbotham will turn out for Stoke at the Britannia Stadium tonight

DANNY Higginbotham lines up for Stoke City Reserves at home to Aston Villa tonight, two days after completing his return to the Britannia Stadium.

The former City skipper, who rejoined from Sunderland for more than £2m, is part of a strong Stoke side for the opening fixture of their Premier Reserve League South campaign.

The game, at the Britannia Stadium (7pm), features a selection of senior players, including Steve Simonsen, Richard Cresswell, Andy Wilkinson and Danny Pugh.

Villa include summer signings Steve Sidwell and Carlos Cuellar, alongside Zat Knight, Wayne Routledge and Marlon Harewood.

Midfielder Sidwell, a £5m signing from Chelsea, and defender Cuellar, who cost £7.8m from Glasgow Rangers, are both returning from injury.

Stoke City: Simonsen, Wilkinson, Buxton, Higginbotham, Pugh, De Laet, Wedderburn, Grocott, J Phillips, Pericard, Cresswell. Subs: Harrison, McDonald, Moult, Vaules, Alexander.

Aston Villa: Parish, Herd, Baker, Cuellar, Knight, Sidwell, Routledge, Osbourne, Bannan, Delfouneso, Harewood. Subs: Albrighton, Stieber, Lichaj, Clark, Dau.