EPL: West Brom v Stoke preview

West Brom v Stoke preview

New signing Oliver Burke is in contention to feature for West Brom as they look to continue their strong start to the season when they face Stoke City.

After winning their opening two league matches for the first time in 39 years, the Baggies have been further boosted by the arrival of Scotland international Burke from RB Leipzig.

The 20-year-old looks likely to start on the bench on Sunday, and head coach Tony Pulis is excited by his arrival.

"He has got tremendous talent," said Pulis. "He's got a fantastic, raw ability but he has now also got the experience of going away from the comfort of his own area to a foreign country and experiencing life.

"I'm sure our fans will like him. He's very direct, he scores goals. There's a bit of work to be done and certainly more to come out of him - he's not the finished article yet by any means."

 

Stoke were indebted to a new signing of their own for securing their first win of the season last weekend over Arsenal.

Former Real Madrid forward Jese scored the only goal of the game against the Gunners, and manager Mark Hughes says his side are "in a good place".

"I think people now understand we are in decent shape," he added. "We're a competitive team and we all think we'll have a good season. The Arsenal win was important in terms of setting down a marker for the rest of the season. The qualities you need to win were on show."

 

Jonny Evans remains a doubt for West Brom. He has yet to feature this season because of a hamstring injury and he will continue to be assessed while being linked with a move to Manchester City. Fellow centre-half Gareth McAuley (thigh) remains out and striker Hal Robson-Kanu is still suspended.

James Morrison will also be checked on after making his return from injury in the Carabao Cup win at Accrington in midweek, but he is expected to be okay.

 

Xherdan Shaqiri remains an injury concern for Stoke after a hamstring problem forced him off midway through the first half of the home win against Arsenal.

Hughes made eight changes for the 4-0 Carabao Cup win against Rochdale and the likes of Jack Butland, Ryan Shawcross, Darren Fletcher, Rodriguez Jese and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are expected to come back into the team.