CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

ANDY Wilkinson could be the unlucky man in what is likely to be the only change to the Stoke team which drew 2-2 at home to Wolves last week.

The right-back has done nothing wrong since coming in for the suspended Robert Huth for the games against Tottenham and Wolves, but the £6 million German international is a tough player to leave out.

Huth is a natural centre-half rather than a right-back, but played well enough out wide to keep Wilkinson out of the team, before earning a three-game ban by clobbering West Ham’s Matthew Upson.

Tony Pulis felt Stoke had missed the height of Huth and Salif Diao when conceding two set-pieces in the second half against Wolves last week.

There seems no way in for Huth in central defence, as skipper Abdoulaye Faye and Ryan Shawcross have formed a formidable partnership.

Danny Collins will continue at left-back, where his partnership down the left flank with Matthew Etherington continues to flourish.

Expect Hull to partner Kamel Ghilas with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink up front.

The 6ft 3in Vennegoor of Hesselink will provide an aerial threat, but he’s only scored once in seven league games at Hull and has yet to win the fans round since a free transfer move from Celtic in August.

Algerian forward Ghilas could also do with a goal, having not netted since the 5-1 home defeat to Tottenham in the second game of the season.

MIDFIELD BATTLEGROUND

SALIF Diao is hoping to recover from a groin strain in time to play, but can’t be inked in as a certainty.

His absence from the Wolves game was a huge frustration for the player and for Tony Pulis, whose faith in the Senegal international had looked justified with his excellent performances in his three previous games.

If Diao misses out, the industrious Dean Whitehead will partner the creative Glenn Whelan in central midfield.

Rory Delap is likely to hold off the challenge of Liam Lawrence on the right, while in-form Matthew Etherington should continue on the left.

Hull have problems in midfield as Geovanni is suspended after being sent off for two bookings in last week’s 2-0 defeat at Burnley.

He played in an experimental role as a holding midfielder at Burnley, but former Stokie Seyi Olofinjana is expected to partner Dean Marney in the centre for the visit of City.

Hull favourite Nick Barmby would add flair and crowd appeal on the right, while Stephen Hunt will be attempting to recapture his impressive early-season form on the left.

Jimmy Bullard is available after recovering from the knee injury which has sidelined him since January.

If he starts, he will replace Marney, but a place on the bench looks more likely for the £5 million former Fulham midfielder.

CUTTING EDGE

JAMES Beattie and Ricardo Fuller will continue up front with a partnership which has grown ever more potent as Beattie has fought back from injuries.

Mama Sidibe looks unlikely to feature in the squad after pulling his hamstring in the reserves, so three-goal top scorer Dave Kitson is likely to be recalled to the bench, after being left out of the squad for the Wolves game.

Kitson and Tuncay will provide attacking options for manager Tony Pulis against a Hull back four which is likely to feature Anthony Gardner and Kamil Zayatte in the centre.

Former Port Vale defender Gardner has impressed when he has played for the Tigers, but injuries have limited him to 11 Premier League starts since his £2.5 million move from Tottenham in the summer of 2008.

Former Sunderland defender Paul McShane plays at right-back. while Andy Dawson, who played for the Tigers in League Two five years ago, is on the left.

Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill missed the Burnley game after damaging medial knee ligaments. He is close to fitness, but former Burton keeper Matt Duke is likely to deputise again.