Team news

Stoke without suspended duo Stoke midfield duo Glenn Whelan and Salif Diao will both miss Monday's encounter with Birmingham at the Britannia Stadium.

The pair both picked up their fifth bookings of the season in the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City and now serve automatic one-match bans.

In addition, Andy Wilkinson and Robert Huth (knee) picked up knocks, which makes them doubtful for Tony Pulis' side, who have collected just a single point from four games this month so far.

Pulis does not feel his team need to beat themselves up over their poor recent run.

The Potters have collected just a single point in December so far and never looked like adding to that tally once Martin Petrov had put City ahead.

It left them with just the game against in-form Blues to try to end the year on a high note and edge away from an increasingly congested scrap to avoid the relegation spots.

Yet Pulis is not getting too concerned.

While a failure to beat Wigan on home soil was a disappointment, defeats at Arsenal, Aston Villa and City were only what was expected given the respective imbalance in financial resources, and the fact each of those clubs is having a generally decent campaign.

"We have had a tough run of games," Pulis said.

"Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City all away from home, with just one match at home in the middle is very difficult.

"But, as a Premier League club you just have to accept there will be a run of games where it is going to be difficult to pick points up.

"Now we have a run of home matches, which are going to be crucial." Birmingham will assess the fitness of midfielder Sebastian Larsson ahead of the game.

Sweden international Larsson rolled his ankle in the goalless draw with Chelsea on Boxing Day and will be subject to a fitness test before the Potteries clash.

Boss Alex McLeish expects Joe Hart to be available despite the goalkeeper suffering a head injury in the Boxing Day clash.

Lee Bowyer also suffered a knock against the league leaders but defenders Roger Johnson and Liam Ridgewell appeared to come through unscathed after returning from injury.

McLeish believes Hart is doing his World Cup chances no harm at all after hailing the England squad man's "terrific" form this season.

Hart joined Birmingham on loan from Manchester City in the summer and after a few early mistakes has played an integral role in his side's current 10-match unbeaten run.

The former Shrewsbury youngster was a worthy man of the match against Chelsea and Scot McLeish believes the stopper is well worth consideration for the England number one jersey.

Asked whether his first target in the January transfer window is the permanent signature of Hart, McLeish said: "If I could and if it was a good deal, then yes.

"I think Joe has come on a ton. We started the season having spoken about one or two things and he's improved out of sight and I'm pleased for him. He's a conscientious big guy and his own worst critic.

"He studies everything and takes everything on the chin from the goalkeeping coach Dave Watson to try to improve.

"He's a guy who improves and wants to get better and better and his form has been terrific.

"I know the England coaches think a lot of him, and I think they will think even more of him now with his Birmingham performances." Birmingham's revered defence is built around centre-half pairing Roger Johnson and Scott Dann as much as Hart, and McLeish is similarly delighted with his 'old school' duo.

"Dann and Johnson in particular just love heading balls and making tackles, they are real throwbacks," he said.

"That was part of the reason I bought them and I did some diligence on them. Speaking to people who had worked with them, coaches whom I trust in the game, and getting homework done like that is very beneficial.

Stoke vs Birmingham

Last modified 12:07 09/01/10

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Joe Hart stretched Birmingham City's amazing run - and his own England chances - by the tips of his frozen fingers.

Keeper Hart twice pulled off super saves as Alex McLeish's men pulled off an unlikely win to make it 25 points out of the last 33 and put them seventh.

If Cameron Jerome's lucky winner was the smash, then Hart provided the grab as he clawed away Matthew Etherington's excellent attempt at an instant equaliser.

And Hart did even better to dive and push out Abdoulaye Faye's bullet header as Blues somehow clung on for a victory in the face of massive pressure.

Hart was helped by some courageous defending - with brave and often lucky deflections keeping out Stoke who have now not won in six but will wonder how this one got away.

Jerome's goal was a shock in so many ways. He was struggling - like so many others in blue - to get a touch and was then handed the chance by one of Stoke's best and most dangerous men.

Ryan Shawcross unfortunately turned a Scott Dann header into the striker's path and his close-range stab squirmed past keeper Thomas Sorensen for the 51str minute decider.

It was ironic as Shawcross should have scored a couple at the other end in a Stoke first half siege. He flashed a header across the target from a Liam Lawrence corner and missed an even easier opening when he was unmarked at the far post.

The raiding centre half put another header past as he ruled the air in the Blues penalty box any time a corner came over.

It was more like the old Stoke, with intense pressure from set-pieces and throw-ins. Rory Delap was in the side and had apparently been giving a new towel for Christmas to dry the ball.

But their overall play was full of fire, enthusiasm and no little skill. However it was their hustling that really made the difference.

Even Tuncay Sanli joined in the harrying and seemed full of energy and commitment for the cause. The talented Turk battled all over the pitch and put in a terrific shift.

Tuncay almost got in on a James Beattie knock-down but his shot was blocked by Roger Johnson. It really should have been over by half-time.

Birmingham struggled to cope or put any moves together. Lee Bowyer and Barry Ferguson could only watch the play pass by or over their heads.

Chucho Benitez fired an optimistic shot wide but he kept his side going by chasing lost causes. Jerome could have sneaked Blues in front but headed upwards when he only had to nod down.

Benitez appealed for a penalty when his control got him in but Faye escaped with a desperate last-ditch tackle that sent him flying. The striker fell over him after the challenge and it was no foul.

Bowyer was booked for bringing down Dean Whitehead as they tried to compete any way they could. Carr was also cautioned for dissent and also got away with dragging down Robert Huth off the ball in the box.

James Beattie - starting for the bfirst time since his ruck with boss Tony Pulis - looked a bit dejected when he was subbed, but after 70 minutes of frustration it was the right decision.

Delap and Shawcross were also booked for fouls on the elusive Benitez who kept going to the end and was a constant pest as he summed up his side's remarkable determination.

What they need in the New Year...

Stoke - a win from somewhere after their poorest run for some time.

Birmingham -  more of the same results and luck, please.