By Martin Williams: Stoke City are preparing for an away trip to face struggling Burnley tomorrow night.

And the Britannia Stadium club returns to league action hoping for a change in fortune after their 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Chelsea.

The Potters, 11th in the Premier League, could finish in the top half with a strong finish to the season.

It would cap an impressive second season back in the top tier of English football.

But injury looks set to plague the club again, with midfielder Glenn Whelan the latest addition to the list after injuring his hamstring at Chelsea.

Other players suffering injuries include Danny Higginbothom, Matthew Etherington, Salif Diao and James Beattie.

Burnley, under new manager Brian Laws, have struggled with just one win in their last six and find themselves in the relegation zone.

Veteran Clarets striker Robbie Blake, speaking to the Burnley website, insists Stoke are going to be a tough proposition.

“I don’t think Stoke get the recognition they deserve, they are not just a long-throwing team about set-pieces, they have got some quality players who can pass the ball and play.

“They are a very difficult team to beat who are virtually established as a Premier League side now.”