ROWETT EYES POTT SHOT AT PROMOTION

Stoke v Swansea KO 8pm

GARY ROWETT admits there are “no excuses” for Stoke’s sticky start – but says they can still battle for promotion.

Having been pre-season favourites to go up, the Potters sit 20th, with just six points from their first seven matches.

And manager Rowett (above) said: “We’ve had a slightly sticky start and that creates a bit of negativity, which is understandable.

“When I was Derby boss last term we had 13 points from the first 10 games, but we made the play-offs. There are so many points in the Championship.”