Stoke City have struggled badly since their relegation from the Premier League last season with Gary Rowett's side currently languishing closer to the relegation zone than promotion. 

The Potters were made pre-season favourites to not only win promotion but win the title as well but they are currently a long way from that status.

They currently sit in 15th place with 16 matches played and have won just once in their last four matches and just five times all season.

Rowett's side are badly underperforming with plenty of top Championship players in their ranks including the likes of Tom Ince, Benik Afobe, Ashley Williams and Joe Allen all failing to live up to their status.

But despite this there are also a few players exceeding preseason expectations and performing brilliantly even if their teammates are not.

Here, then, are two Potters' players we can expect to see in the Premier League next season regardless of whether their current club goes up...

He only moved to the Bet365 Stadium in the summer, but Woods oozes class and is definitely bound for the top flight.

It will take a large fee but the former Brentford man will not want to hang around if a Premier League club comes in for him.

Plenty of onlookers were pretty amazed to see Butland remain at Stoke through the summer.

The England shot-stopper has long been touted as one of the best goalkeeping prospects going and has proved his Premier League quality since the Potters' relegation.

He will surely be back in the top-flight next season even if the club are not.