Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill has provided a fitness update ahead of his side's game against Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday, withe the Potters welcoming back two players to the fold. 

The Midlands based club will be seeking to pick up another three points in the league this week as they look to build on what has been a largely positive first full season in charge for the former Northern Ireland boss, with the club currently occupying 8th place in the Championship standings.

To add to the largely feel-good factor around the club, O'Neill today confirmed to the media during his press conference - which was broadcast via the club's YouTube channel - that previously injured duo Ryan Shawcross and Thibaud Verlinden would be in included in the squad to face the Chairboys.

However O'Neill was less positive about the fitness situation surrounding several of the club's other players during today's press conference:

"Lee (Gregory) won't be available for tomorrow night, John Obi Mikel came off, we'll assess him today - we're training later today. 

"He is a doubt, an extreme doubt and none of the other injured players are able to return at this minute in time, we're obviously still without both goalkeepers, we're still without Jordan Thompson and Steven Fletcher."

Hughes? Pulis? Who was the Stoke City manager when each of these 15 Potters moments happened?

Wednesday night presents only the ninth time that the two sides have faced each other, with the Potters having come out on top on four of the previous eight occasions.

The Verdict

The return of Shawcross and Verlinden to the first team fold will certainly come as a boost to O'Neill and his depleted squad as they seek to make up ground on the top six.

Their captain has certainly been a big miss and he personally has been through his fair share of injury problems of late, with this return to fitness offering the experienced centre back the chance to re-establish himself as one of the first names on the team sheet.

Wycombe will prove to be stern test for this Stoke side, with their physical and direct play having already caused problems for the likes of Brentford and Watford so far.

For now O'Neill will be looking to weather the storm over the coming weeks as he counts the cost of those that are on the treatment table at present within the confines of his depleted squad.