Shotton close to Stoke return

Published Jan. 18, 2012 7:17 a.m. ET

foxsports

Shotton scored an 88th-minute winner in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but was not in the squad for the trip to Liverpool last weekend, which finished 0-0.

The 23-year-old has made 13 starts for the Potters this season and netted three times.

Shotton told the Stoke Sentinel: "It's bone bruising on the ankle, but we have progressed every day.

"I just missed out at Liverpool last week, but I'm hoping to train this week and be in contention.

"I had a fitness test at Anfield, but it didn't feel comfortable and I wasn't really ready.

"I did it at Gillingham the week before when I had an elbow in the face and fell with all the body weight on the ankle."