Palace v Stoke City

Selhurst Park, Saturday 3.00pm

FA Cup

Team news

Crystal Palace centre half Damien Delaney returns to the squad after his three-game ban ended and he may replace Danny Gabbidon, who has a hamstring strain.

South Africa midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi is with his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Jonathan Williams and Jermaine Easter are pushing for starting roles.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis may decide to give a first start to striker Michael Owen. Midfielder Steven Nzonzi is back after his red card against Southampton was rescinded.

Quotes

Roy Hodgson

"I think it's nice now, to have the FA Cup. At least we've drawn a fantastic Premier League club in Stoke. I will pay that game the respect it's due. I had been thinking about making some changes, whether I will I really don't know. I had made my mind up but now I'm undecided.

"I warned our fans I might make some changes but I'm not so sure now. I don't think we are strong enough to put any other sort of team out to give Stoke any sort of game. As it is I want to try to continue the process. I'm gradually starting to feel this is my team.

"It's another chance for us to work on our shape and keep going on what we've got going. It's not a league game but it's a really important match. It's another chance for the players to interpret what I want and try to show me they can do it."

Tony Pulis

"I've known Ian Holloway since he was 12 years old. His mum and dad were lovely people and we knew their family really well. They're typical Bristolians really, and it's lovely to see him do so well.

"He's done fantastic, not just as a manager but his playing career was fabulous, especially the back end of it when he was playing for QPR in the Premier League.

"I think Ian will be the first one to say this, you've got to give the previous manager a lot of credit for putting the team together.

"Ian's gone in there and I think the majority of it has been the same, Ian's just kept it going. But if they get promoted, it'll be a fantastic achievement for Ian.

"I'll certainly change one or two because I think one or two need a rest but we'll show Palace the utmost respect because I've got respect for Ian and also Crystal Palace.

"It's a great football club. If they get back in the Premier League, they'll be filling that place week in, week out.

"We know how difficult it will be. Out of all the draws you could get, when it came out we looked at it and thought it was going to be a really difficult game, and it will be because they're flying in the Championship.

"They'll be full of confidence, they're scoring goals for fun. The Premier League is the main priority without a question of a doubt but we want to do well. We've proved that we do take the FA Cup seriously."

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
07/04/2008	League	Stoke City	1 - 2	Crystal Palace
23/10/2007	League	Crystal Palace	1 - 3	Stoke City
09/04/2007	League	Stoke City	2 - 1	Crystal Palace
11/11/2006	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 1	Stoke City
13/03/2006	League	Stoke City	1 - 3	Crystal Palace

All time results

Last meeting

Stoke City 1-2 Palace

Monday April 07 2008

Stoke City: Nash, Griffin, Riggott, Cort, Pugh, Whelan, Delap, Pearson (Bothroyd 77), Cresswell, Sidibe (Fuller 56), Ameobi

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Shawcross, Dickinson

Goals: Whelan 85

Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Hudson, Fonte, Hill, Sinclair (Fletcher 89), Soares (Scannell 89), Watson, Derry, Moses (Reid 56), Morrison

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Butterfield

Bookings: Hudson, Fletcher

Goals: Soares 23, Fonte 45

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