Stoke star Powell in fitness race to face City

STOKE City manager Michael O’Neill admits playmaker Nick Powell could be declared fit for tomorrow’s trip to face Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Powell hurt his calf against Birmingham City after setting up Dany Batth’s opener in a 2-0 win which lifted the Potters four points clear of the Championship relegation zone.

One more win could be enough for O’Neill’s side with three matches remaining, but the Robins are also hunting all three points as they retain a possibility of making the play-offs, should they take maximum points from their final trio of games.

Powell has five goals and five assists for Stoke in 27 Championship appearances, playing off the main striker, and leads the club’s regular starters for chances created with 1.9 key passes per 90 minutes.

“He has a chance. He took a bang on the calf and we just have to see how it responds. But Nick has been terrific for me so he would be a big miss if we didn’t have him. But we will see how he is,” O’Neill told Stoke-on-Trent Live.

“We can’t take unnecessary risks with him and a calf injury is not something you can play with if you are not 100 per cent.

“Nick being Nick, if he has any chance of playing, he will do.”

TONIGHT Premier League Chelsea v Norwich (8.15)

Sky Bet Championship Cardiff v Derby (7.45pm) Luton v QPR (7.45pm) Millwall v Blackburn (7.45pm) Reading v Middlesbrough (6pm) Sheff Wed v Huddersfield (7.45pm) West Brom v Fulham (5pm) Wigan v Hull (6pm)

Stoke’s Nick Powell on the ball against Birmingham City