Stoke boss ponders timing of Diouf and Shawcross returns
Stoke boss Mark Hughes will make late calls on whether striker Mame Diouf and captain Ryan Shawcross are ready to play in Saturday's Premier League home clash with Watford.
Diouf has been on compassionate leave following the death of his mother and sat out Monday's 1-0 win at Swansea - a game also missed by forward Jonathan Walters (groin) and goalkeeper Shay Given (knee), both of whom look set to be back in the squad this weekend.
Shawcross is in contention for his maiden first-team appearance of the season as his recovery from back surgery nears completion, although Hughes has suggested the defender is more likely to make his return next week.
Provisional squad: Butland, Given, Cameron, Wollscheid, Muniesa, Wilson,Pieters, Johnson, Bardsley, Whelan, Adam, Van Ginkel, Ireland, Sidwell,Arnautovic, Bojan, Shaqiri, Afellay, Walters, Crouch, Joselu, Odemwingie,Diouf.
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