Team News: Joe Allen fit for Stoke City

Joe Allen has been passed fit for Stoke City as they welcome Sunderland this afternoon.

The Welshman had been a doubt after picking up a hamstring injury during Wales's draw with Austria during the international break but has been deemed fit enough to play from the off.

The only change from Mark Hughes is the introduction of Phil Bardsley, in for the injured Glen Johnson who faces three or four weeks out with a thigh injury.

David Moyes has made three changes for the visiting Black Cats, with Patrick van Aanholt, Jack Rodwell and Papy Djilobodji coming in.

Jason Denayer and Lamine Kone drop out due to a muscle tear and tight hamstring respectively, while Jan Kirchhoff also misses out.

Billy Jones returns from injury to take a place on the bench for the visitors.

Stoke City: Grant; Bardsley, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters, Cameron, Whelan, Shaqiri, Allen, Arnautovic, Bony Subs: Muniesa, Adam, Diouf, Walters, Given, Crouch, Krkic

Sunderland: Pickford, Manquillo, O'Shea, Djilobodji, Van Aanholt, Watmore, Rodwell, Ndong, McNair, Khazri, Defoe Subs: Jones, Mika, Pienaar, Love, Anichebe, Asoro, Gooch