Walters supported Everton as a boy, and his dad, a Toffees season ticket holder, will be in his usual seat on Sunday along with the Republic of Ireland international's brother. Walters was in their good books when he scored the only goal in Stoke's 1-0 victory over Liverpool in September, and he is willing to accept that will not be the case if he repeats the feat. The 28-year-old said: "As a kid, I supported Everton and a lot of my family do but that's besides the point. I'll be going there and, if I'm playing, I'll be trying my hardest to score. I was popular after Liverpool, let's hope I'm not so popular after Sunday." It will be an emotional day as Goodison Park remembers Gary Speed, and Walters said: "It's a difficult thing to talk about for a lot of people. He's got a young family. I grew up watching him, he's a legend at Everton." It has been a notable week for Stoke, who on Thursday drew with Dynamo Kiev to book their spot in the last 32 of the Europa League. The Potters' European form has come at a cost, though, with their Premier League record after Group E matches currently reading played four, lost four. They ended a worrying run of four successive Premier League losses last weekend with a 3-1 victory over Blackburn, and Walters hopes that can signal an upturn in fortunes. He said: "There's always ups and downs in the season, but especially when you're going through a bad time you have to stand up and be counted. "We've got those sort of characters in the building and hopefully we can take the form from the past two games into the away game at Everton, which is a big game because hopefully we can go and get something. "The manager made a lot of changes (on Thursday) and hopefully the team he picks has a lot of fresh legs ready to go." Manager Tony Pulis has worked hard to boost the strength in depth of his squad, and their options up front are a case in point. Kenwyne Jones and Cameron Jerome replaced Walters and Peter Crouch for the European game, while Ricardo Fuller came on as a substitute as he continues to work his way back to full fitness after seven months out with a ruptured Achilles. "There's five of us now, there's competition for places and that's always good," said Walters. "We've got different options on the bench. Ric gives you something different, he can pull something out of nothing." Jerome, a summer signing from Birmingham, has had limited chances to impress in the league, making only two starts, but he is confident his time will come. The 25-year-old said: "Obviously I haven't played as much as I'd like to recently but hopefully I can kick on and give the manager something to think about. "It's refreshing to be at another club at another stage in my career. I know we've good a good squad and good competition for places and it's up to me to be patient and show the manager and everyone else what I can do when I get my opportunity."
