Stoke City manager Mark Hughes set to name strong starting line-up against Bristol City in Carabao Cup third round
- Stoke entertain Bristol City in Carabao Cup on Tuesday at the bet365 Stadium
- Hughes will rotate his side ahead of the home league game against Chelsea
- But the Welshman will still field a strong starting XI against the in-form Robins
- Glen Johnson, Charlie Adam and Peter Crouch could all be drafted into the team
Stoke manager Mark Hughes intends to name a strong line-up against Bristol City as the Premier League club look to avoid becoming a Carabao Cup scalp.
The Potters saw a four-match unbeaten run ended with a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday.
While Hughes is set to have one eye on the weekend's home Premier League clash against Chelsea, the Stoke boss will give Tuesday night's Sky Bet Championship opposition the utmost respect as they aim to reach the last 16.
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes is ready to take the Carabao Cup seriously
Bristol City are in good form in the Championship as they head to the bet365 Stadium
'There are a couple of players we feel we need to give a game, but we will still go strong,' Hughes said on the club's official website.
'It is important that we progress in the competition, so we want to have a good run in it this season if we can.'
Captain Ryan Shawcross and fellow defender Geoff Cameron are both working on their recoveries from injury problems which kept them out of the match against Newcastle so are not expected to be involved against the Robins.
Veteran full-back Glenn Johnson could return to the Stoke starting line-up
Defender Glen Johnson, midfielder Charlie Adam and striker Peter Crouch, though, could all be drafted into the starting XI as Hughes looks to freshen up his team.
Kurt Zouma should also be involved as the French defender will not be eligible to face parent club Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday under the terms of his loan deal.
Hughes said: 'Kurt Zouma can't play on Saturday against Chelsea so he will be involved and we will go there with a team strong enough to give it a really good go.'
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