PREM: Stoke v Watford preview

Stoke v Watford preview

Stoke can welcome back Marko Arnautovic when they return to Premier League action against injury-hit Watford on Tuesday evening.

The Austrian has missed the last three fixtures having been dismissed against Southampton but could come straight back into the side as the Potters seek a first win in six top-flight games.

Mark Hughes will be hoping for a home fillip after heavy defeats on the road to Liverpool and Chelsea but Watford - who have won only one of their last seven - were stung themselves last time out, swept aside 4-1 by Tottenham on New Year's Day.

Calling for improved defensive focus against the Hornets, Hughes said: "We have to be a lot sounder defensively in key moments of the game. 

"A lot of the elements of our game are very good but we need to address that side of things because it's costing us dearly at present."

Arnautovic could replace Ibrahim Afellay, who lasted just over an hour on his first start since April, but Jon Walters (knee) is a doubt and Marc Muniesa, Geoff Cameron (both knee) and Jack Butland (ankle) are all out.

Hughes fears requests to delay Ramadan Sobhi and Wilfried Bony's departures for the African Nations Cup will be denied by their respective countries and they will therefore miss out, though he is more hopeful on Senegal's Mame Diouf.

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri could be without nine players for the trip, Juan Zuniga unlikely to feature after feeling pain in his ankle during the warm-up against Spurs and Nordin Amrabat doubtful after being taken off with a leg injury in the second half.

A long list of absentees already includes Adrian Mariappa and Roberto Pereyra, who both have knee problems, Isaac Success, Daryl Janmaat and Valon Behrami, who are all out with muscle injuries, and Stefano Okaka, who is recovering from a hamstring strain.

Midfielder Ben Watson also missed the defeat to Tottenham due to personal reasons but defender Miguel Britos is definitely available again after serving a one-match suspension.