STOKE host local Midlands rivals Birmingham in the Travel Plus National League at Loomer Road on Saturday night, 7pm.

The A.R. Richards Potters are currently ninth in the league table having won just once in the league this season and drawn one meeting. The Brummies’ are currently looking to hold onto fourth place and will be looking to take all 4 points available for away sides who win by more than 6 points and will be targeting the trip to Loomer Road for this meeting after losing out to Coventry on Wednesday evening.

The Potters draft in Belle Vue’s Tom Perry as a guest for Tony Atkin who is withholding his services, while Connor Coles comes in as a guest for Rob Shuttleworth who has been suspended by the club with rider replacement being used for David Wallinger who is injured.

Birmingham have skipper Tom Bacon in unbeatable form at the moment leading the side with Danny Ayres coming in as a guest for James Shanes and former Potter Jon Armstrong guesting for the injured Danyon Hume. The Perry Barr club will operate rider replacement for Callum Walker who was injured in Wednesday’s defeat at home to Coventry with 15-year old Leon Flint completes the top five and he has been in great form this season for the West Midlands outfit. Former Stoke Spitfires rider David Holt is at reserve for the Brummies’ alongside former Potter Josh Embleton who completes the Birmingham septet.

STOKE: Tom Perry, Adam Extance, Connor Coles, David Wallinger R/R, Max Clegg (Captain), Arran Butcher, Paul Burnett
BIRMINGHAM: Tom Bacon (Captain), Callum Walker, Jon Armstrong, Leon Flint, Danny Ayres, David Holt, Josh Embleton