Wolverhampton-Stoke City Preview

Oct 29, 2009 - 5:44 PM MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Wolverhampton defender Jody Craddock wants to put one over Stoke manager Tony Pulis on Saturday to prove he was right to turn down a move to the Britannia Stadium.

Craddock played four games on loan at Stoke during the 2007-08 season and Pulis wanted to keep him permanently.

Veteran Craddock, 34, was recalled to Wolves because of an injury crisis and elected to stay and fight for his future at Molineux.

Craddock, who captained Wolves to promotion into the Premier League last season, said: "Stoke wanted to offer me a contract.

"But it didn't get that far and since returning to Wolves things have been fantastic. I've really enjoyed it all.

"Facing Stoke now, though, will be tough. They have just won at Spurs and are a very difficult side to face. It's a real challenge for us."

Stoke have become one of the toughest opponents in the Premier League because of their uncompromising and direct approach.

Wolves midfielder Michael Kightly has defended Pulis's tactics, saying: "Stoke have been in the Premier League longer than we have and they have spent quite a bit of money trying to strengthen their squad.

"They deserved to stay up last season and the way they are going at the moment, they look as if they're an established Premier League team.

"That is what we are hoping to do because they are a good team with a good manager who knows the game really well and knows how to get results.

"I think Stoke get tarnished with the brush of playing long ball a lot, but they've got good players and they are a good side."

Wolves have giant Austrian striker Stefan Maierhofer available after missing last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa through suspension.

Stoke are just grateful to be at home after being caught up in a dramatic mid-air plane scare following Tuesday's League Cup defeat at Portsmouth.

The Potters were forced to make an emergency landing at Gatwick Airport after the cabin crew were alerted to a burning smell on board.

Goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, among the terrified players on board the 50-seater chartered jet, said: "The match brought us down to earth with a pretty nasty bump and after that it was just mad.

"What happened was just incredible. It was pretty eventful to say the least.

"Everything was going smoothly until about 20 minutes in when there was a strange burning smell coming through the plane.

"There was no smoke or flames but the pilot followed the emergency procedure and took us to the nearest airport.

"The match brought us down to earth with a pretty nasty bump and after that it was just mad.

"We were just grateful to get safely back down to the ground. Everybody got home safe and we live to fight another day."

Pulis is set to make eleven changes from the 4-0 thrashing at Portsmouth.

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen should return after missing last weekend's 1-0 win at Tottenham with a virus.