It's been a decade since the red and white of Stoke City graced the second tier but, if manager Gary Rowett has his way, it will only be a single season before they're back in the top flight.

There wasn't any surprise when Paul Lambert left his role as manager, he failed to keep the Potters in the Premier League after some terrible performances.

Lining up in a predictable 4-3-3 left them looking unimaginative and laboured against slicker opposition.

Meanwhile, Gary Rowett stumbled into the play-offs after looking like an automatic promotion candidate with Derby County.

He operated a less conventional 3-4-2-1, sometimes switching to a 3-4-3.

He'll surely be looking to bring something fresh and new to the bet365 Stadium, with his tried and tested approach potentially used as a blueprint for the new-look Stoke side.

If he does, that opens up a host of selection issues for him to address, which FLW looks at now.

Oghenekaro Etebo is one of the big signings of the summer for Stoke, but as a central midfielder that asks questions of some more established stars.

Joe Allen has signed a new deal and if those two make up the central midfield, where does veteran midfielder Charlie Adam fit in?

What if Gianelli Imbula doesn't get himself a move away, or Badou Ndiaye? There's still so much for Rowett to decide with an ever decreasing time frame in which to do it.

With a single striker likely to be the way forward for Rowett, what does it mean for Crouch and Saido Berinho? Maybe the former is closing in on retirement, but Berinho could surely do well at this level, would he sit behind the powerful Afobe?

Or will the Shaqiri money be invested and Berinho's long-standing decline simply continued unabated?  Where does Mama Diouf fit into the slimline attack Rowett favours?

With an apparent pursuit of James Chester underway, the back four could be set for a big shake up under Rowett.

Indi suffered injuries last season, but he's a competent player. Ryan Shawcross is surely going to remain in the heart of the defence, but what about the move for Chester?

Perhaps the Dutch player Indi is on his way, but there also American international Geoff Cameron to factor into thee equation somewhere. He's versatile, but primarily a centre back too.