Team News: Crouch up top for Stoke City against Sunderland

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has decided to keep his faith in striker Peter Crouch as his side's sole man in attack as they welcome Sunderland in the Premier League this afternoon.

Crouch is supported by a five-man midfield made up of Jonathan Walters, Steven Nzonzi, Glenn Whelan, Charlie Adam and Marko Arnautovic.

Stoke continue with their trusted defensive partnership of Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth at the back.

Visitors Sunderland have opted to stick with new signing Emanuele Giaccherini, who will look to provide attacking support for striker Steven Fletcher.

Sunderland will be looking to take the attack to Stoke with the help of Seb Larsson and Adam Johnson in midfield.

Stoke City: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Walters, Nzonzi, Whelan, Adam, Arnautovic; Crouch

Sunderland: Mannone, Celustka, Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Ki, Colback, Larsson, Johnson, Giaccherini, Fletcher