Stoke v West Ham preview

Premier League rivals Stoke and West Ham go in search of a place in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

A day out at Wembley is now within touching distance, with the home of English football set to host both fixtures in the last four.

Stoke came unstuck at this stage in last season’s competition, with eventual winners Chelsea putting them to the sword.

They will be looking to make amends this term and take another step towards a first major trophy in 39 years.

West Ham have already graced one semi-final this season, with Birmingham dashing their Carling Cup dreams.

They may have struggled towards the foot of the Premier League table for much of the season, but they appear to have the knack when it comes to knockout action.

In Avram Grant they can also boast a boss who is looking to appear in consecutive FA Cup finals, with the Israeli having taken Portsmouth all the way last season.

Stoke team news

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has confirmed that goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen will start on Sunday.

Sorensen will step in for first-choice stopper Asmir Begovic as he has done for the previous rounds.

Matthew Etherington, who came on as a substitute in last week’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to the Hammers, appears to be fully over his recent back problems so is in contention to start against his old club, but fellow winger Jermaine Pennant has a knee complaint and will be assessed ahead of the game.

Abdoulaye Faye could return after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Danny Higginbotham is available again having missed the match at Upton Park because his wife had gone into labour.

West Ham team news

West Ham will check on Scott Parker’s fitness ahead of the game after he aggravated a shoulder problem in last weekend’s 3-0 Premier League victory over the Potters.

Junior Stanislas and Jack Collison are sidelined, while Kieron Dyer has joined former employers Ipswich on a month-long loan deal.

The Hammers will look to the prolific Demba Ba to continue his fine scoring streak, with the Senegalese striker having found the target four times in five appearances following a January switch from Hoffenheim.