Duo to miss United's boxing day clash

Stoke City will be without the duo of Peter Crouch and  Geoff Cameron when United visit the Britannia on boxing day manager Mark Hughes has confirmed.

Striker Peter Crouch has been out for about three weeks with a groin injury and is back in training, but not fit for the visit of United.

"It's good to see Crouchy back amongst the group but he is going to need a full week's training before we can realistically look at including him." Hughes said in his press conference ahead if the tie.

American Geoff Cameron is out with an hamstring injury and will miss more than the United game for the potters.

"It is probably a little too close to call with Geoff at the moment given the time before the game at the weekend, I would suggest that he is more likely to miss out than to play
however, which would mean we may not see him until the New Year. The manager told the club's website.

Stoke are on a good run of late, with only two defeats in their last nine matches, while United on the other hand are winless in their last six.