Stoke City's Andy Wilkinson free to play season opener

Stoke City defender Andy Wilkinson will be available for the club's Premier League opener against Liverpool next month.

The left-back received a red card in a pre-season clash with FC Dallas on Saturday, with suggestions that the subsequent ban could be carried into the start of the league season.

However, according to BBC Live, the dismissal will now see the 28-year-old sit out Stoke's friendly with Philadelphia Union on Tuesday, rather than the meeting with the Reds.

Wilkinson made 26 appearances for the Potters last season.