Stoke welcome Everton to the Britannia Stadium on Sunday with both teams needing to tighten up at the back.

The duo have conceded seven goals in their opening three league games - the joint most of any team in the top flight - and are yet to keep a clean sheet between them.

But this game could go either way according to statistics so far this term as Stoke have won their previous home game - a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa - but the Toffees have triumphed in their only away game - beating another newly promoted team, West Brom, 2-1.

Either side of these victories, the Potters lost away to Bolton and Middlesbrough, while Everton were beaten by both Blackburn and Portsmouth at home.

Everton boss David Moyes could hand a debut to £15million record signing Marouane Fellaini, who trained with the Toffees for the first time on Thursday after playing for Belgium in their World Cup qualifiers this week.

But Lars Jacobsen is looking at three months out after dislocating his shoulder during Denmark's 3-2 World Cup qualifier win against Portugal.

Doubts surround Jack Rodwell, who was injured playing for England Under-19s in midweek, while Segundo Castillo has had trouble flying back from international duty with Ecuador.

Steven Pienaar (ankle), Andy van der Meyde (hamstring), Tony Hibbert (cruciate knee ligament), Tim Cahill (metatarsal) and Joseph Yobo (ankle) are all missing.

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha is still struggling with a calf problem.

Goalkeeper Steve Simonsen could be handed a starting role against former club Everton.

He is yet to feature for the Potters in their opening three top flight fixtures, but could get his chance as summer signing Thomas Sorensen was on the sidelines for Denmark's victory over Portugal with a back problem.

The Potters will also be without the suspended Amdy Faye after he was sent off against Middlesbrough last time out.

Glenn Whelan could instead come into the side after he put in two commanding performances for the Republic of Ireland, including scoring against Georgia last Saturday.