Hull captain Michael Dawson is expected to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from knee ligament damage.
Andy Robertson has been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a calf injury, while Moses Odubajo faces a six-month absence because of a fractured kneecap.
Phil Bardsley will have a hamstring injury assessed, while Glen Johnson remains absent with a thigh problem.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Martin Fisher: "Hull City's season is quickly plunging into the one many of their fans feared after winning promotion.
"Early surprise victories in August have been followed by a rotten run of one point from six games, and last week's 6-1 thrashing at Bournemouth will have the alarm bells ringing.
"Stoke's trajectory is heading in the opposite direction. Joe Allen's amazing goalscoring spree means they've gone three games unbeaten, finally picking up their first win over Sunderland last week.
"Another win here will see them move out of the relegation zone and above Hull."
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Hull City head coach Mike Phelan: "I don't see why we should be fragile. We learn hard lessons and we've certainly learned a few over the last few weeks.
"But character has to come into it. We're in the big league and the big league demands that your big players turn up and perform. If we do that, more times than not we'll win football matches."
Stoke manager Mark Hughes on former Manchester United team-mate Phelan: "He's a great guy and I'm really pleased he's got the opportunity.
"He obviously wouldn't have wanted his first game to go like that and get beaten so comprehensively but he's a good coach and a good guy and he had an immediate impact when he first got the role after Steve Bruce left so he's clearly well thought of there.
"I think he'll be good for them, although there have been a lot of outside distractions and maybe a change of ownership in the offing. So Mike, as the manager, has to deal with that and cope with that and that's not easy when that's hanging around in the background."

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