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Stoke City vs Leicester City team news and line ups: Bojan and Imbula start for home side with Arnautovic suspended

Mark Hughes names a pretty much unchanged side apart from having to replace Marko Arnautovic who was dismissed against Southampton

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MARK HUGHES will be without the suspended Marko Arnautovic who was dismissed against Southampton in the 23rd minute. 

Arnautovic's red was the fastest sending off in the Premier League this season and it means Hughes has had to rethink his starting line up as the champions Leicester are in town.

 Marko Arnautovic of Stoke City walks off the pitch after shown the red card during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Southampton
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Marko Arnautovic of Stoke City walks off the pitch after shown the red card during the Premier League match between Stoke City and SouthamptonCredit: Getty Images
 Jose Fonte of Southampton and Bruno Martins Indi of Stoke City battle to win a header
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Jose Fonte of Southampton and Bruno Martins Indi of Stoke City battle to win a headerCredit: Getty Images
 Stoke City manager Mark Hughes during the Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium
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Stoke City manager Mark Hughes during the Premier League match at the Bet365 StadiumCredit: PA:Press Association

Hughes said of the red card: "It's unfortunate because he obviously caught him high on the thigh but the ball was bouncing around and it wasn't a violent movement to take the player out.

"The ref wasn't great on the night, he missed a number of decisions and clearly missed an elbow from Shane Long on Bruno Martins Indi - that needs looking at again.

"Overall the ref put us in a situation and we had to show real work ethic and understanding of what was required. Given the circumstances, the point we gained was magnificent."

 Leicester City's Shinji Okazaki during the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium
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Leicester City's Shinji Okazaki during the Premier League match at the Vitality StadiumCredit: PA:Press Association

Stoke: Grant, Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Diouf, Whelan, Imbula, Pieters, Allen, Bojan, Walters

Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Albrighton, King, Amartey, Mahrez, Slimani, Vardy

Mame Diouf comes in to replace Arnautovic with his pace and strength an ideal replacement and Hughes will feel that Diouf can get at the Leicester defence.

Jonathan Walters leads the line again accompanied by Boijan whilst the likes of Glenn Whelan and Martins Indi will add the robust steel that Hughes loves in midfield.


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Stoke looked to have turned around a very poor start to the season and a win over the Foxes could see them jump in to the top 10.

Stoke will be without the injured Phil Bardsley, Geoff Cameron, Jack Butland, Stephen Ireland and Ibrahim Afellay.

Leicester meanwhile hand a recall to Kasper Schmeichel but Danny Drinkwater does not make the matchday squad.

 

 

 

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