Premier League
BRUNO MARTINS INDI believes Stoke City have the confidence to thrive under pressure and achieve the first victory of the season tomorrow afternoon.
The Potters welcome Sunderland to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday as both sides aim to break their duck and record their first three points of the Premier League campaign.
City were rewarded for their efforts prior to the international break after securing a valuable and richly deserved point away at Manchester United.
Mike Phelan is determined to try and make a success of the season after finally being confirmed as the new permanent head coach of Hull City.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects to have playmaker Mesut Ozil fit and available for the visit of Swansea City, but Aaron Ramsey will remain on the sidelines.
Ozil was replaced at half-time of Germany’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening, but Wenger is confident that the schemer will be ready to take his place against the Swans at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Welshman confident improved performances can carry on after break
MARK HUGHES says his players are eager to carry on where they left off before the international break when Sunderland come to town this weekend.
Manager monitoring midfielder ahead of Sunderland game
MARK HUGHES is hoping Joe Allen will be deemed fit enough to play in Stoke City’s Premier League clash with Sunderland this weekend.
The Wales midfielder is nursing a hamstring problem having been forced off in his nation’s 2-2 draw with Austria seven days ago.
Chelsea midfielder Willian insists he wants to see out his Stamford Bridge contract despite speculation linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 28-year-old Brazil international was linked with a move to the French capital in the summer but says he never had any intention of leaving Chelsea and would be keen to spend the rest of his playing days with the Blues.
Newly-appointed boss Steve Bruce is determined to help Aston Villa regain their position among the elite of English football.
The vastly-experienced 55-year-old takes charge at Villa Park following the recent exit of Roberto Di Matteo, with Bruce in no doubt about what the main target needs to be for him and his side.
I relish the challenge of trying to take the club where it wants to go, and needs to be.
Steve Bruce
Potters man helps Switzerland to victory…
XHERDAN SHAQIRI completed 80 minutes as Switzerland defeated Andorra in their World Cup Qualifier on Monday night.
Gareth Southgate says he has left Wayne Rooney out of the England team to face Slovenia on Tuesday evening for purely footballing reasons.
Three Lions skipper Rooney will start on the bench for the World Cup qualifier in Ljubljana, with Jordan Henderson set to be handed the captain’s armband and be partnered by Eric Dier in central midfield.
Goalkeeper praises fellow teammate…
Grant arrived at the bet365 Stadium on transfer deadline day and has since made his Premier League bow after taking the former Republic of Ireland international’s place between the posts.