Crouch: In fitness race

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Stoke City v Wigan Athletic

Stoke City are sweat on the fitness of three players as they welcome Wigan to the Britannia Stadium for Saturday’s Premier League tie.

Striker Peter Crouch has been out with an illness and midfielder Glenn Whelan with a calf injury while Robert Huth suffered a knock on Boxing Day, and all will be assessed ahead of the clash.

Tony Pulis’ men sit comfortably in eighth position on the table and looked solid defensively in the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Monday and will be boosted up front with the return of Ricardo Fuller.

Relegation threatened Latics were trounced 5-0 by Manchester United on Boxing Day and will come up against a Stoke side beaten just twice at home this season.

However, boss Roberto Martínez will have striker Conor Sammon available after his three-match ban was rescinded by the Football Association following his red card against United.

Otherwise, Wigan have no new injury problems as defender Emmerson Boyce nears a return since suffering a hamstring problem in November.