Holloway may go full strength
Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway is set to resist the temptation to make wholesale changes to his side when they host Stoke in the FA Cup.
Palace's priority this season is promotion to the Barclays Premier League and Holloway was considering resting a number of his players for the third-round tie.
But he is also mindful of keeping up the momentum which has propelled the Eagles to third in the npower Championship and in with a genuine tilt at joining Stoke in the top flight next season.
"I think it's nice now, to have the FA Cup," he said. "At least we've drawn a fantastic Premier League club in Stoke.
"I will pay that game the respect it's due. I had been thinking about making some changes, whether I will I really don't know. I had made my mind up but now I'm undecided.
"I warned our fans I might make some changes but I'm not so sure now. I don't think we are strong enough to put any other sort of team out to give Stoke any sort of game.
"As it is I want to try to continue the process. I'm gradually starting to feel this is my team.
"It's another chance for us to work on our shape and keep going on what we've got going. It's not a league game but it's a really important match.
"It's another chance for the players to interpret what I want and try to show me they can do it."
Holloway will give his in-form wingers Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolassie a rest of sorts, promising them 45 minutes each.
Damien Delaney returns from a ban but Kagisho Dikgacoi is on African Nations Cup duty with South Africa.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis will make changes which could include a first start in the club's colours for Michael Owen.
The former England striker has made four substitute appearances since joining the Potters in September, the last coming in October before he suffered a hamstring injury.
Midfielder Steven Nzonzi is available after the red card he received in last weekend's 3-3 draw with Southampton was rescinded while full-back Marc Wilson could return in a fortnight from a broken leg.
Pulis comes up against an old friend in Holloway and said: "I've known Ian since he was 12 years old.
"His mum and dad were lovely people and we knew their family really well. They're typical Bristolians really, and it's lovely to see him do so well.
"He's done fantastic, not just as a manager but his playing career was fabulous, especially the back end of it when he was playing for QPR in the Premier League."
Source: PA
Source: PA