Stoke City vs Norwich preview - Pulis wary of in-form Norwich

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has warned his team to be firmly on their guard when they host a Norwich side he feels are relishing their opportunity to play in the Barclays Premier League.

Having arrested a run of four straight league defeats by beating Swansea at the Britannia Stadium last Sunday, the Potters will be looking to build upon that 2-0 victory.

On paper, the visit of another promoted side appears promising in terms of keeping momentum building ahead of the league games against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City and FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool which Stoke face over the next few weeks.

Like Swansea, though, Norwich have made a major impression in the top flight this season despite there being limited Premier League experience within their squad, and Pulis is certainly not about to underestimate Paul Lambert's Canaries.

"We have got some massive games coming up, but for now, the biggest one is on Saturday," Pulis said.

"Paul and everybody concerned with Norwich City have done an absolutely fantastic job there. If anybody thinks we will be turning up on Saturday and that it is going to be a stroll in the park, they are going to get a mighty shock.

"I've watched Norwich twice over the last few weeks and they are a good side. They have players who are relishing playing in the Premier League. They are playing with no inhibitions and they have a right go. They have players who can hurt you.

"The club can be really proud - not just Paul and the coaching staff, but the players and also their supporters, who have been wonderful."

Defender Robert Huth is set to return to the side having completed a three-match suspension following his sending-off against Sunderland last month.

Pulis will check on the condition of midfielder Glenn Whelan, who picked up a knock on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.

Lambert will not lose sleep over whether Grant Holt gets an England call-up - so long as the striker keeps scoring goals for the club.

Holt, 30, took his Barclays Premier League tally to 10 with a fine strike in last weekend's defeat to Manchester United.

However, the one-time tyre fitter from Carlisle was overlooked by caretaker manager Stuart Pearce for the friendly against Holland at Wembley.

With Wayne Rooney suspended for the first two group matches of Euro 2012 and Aston Villa's Darren Bent out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury, whomever takes over permanently has some selection issues to resolve in attack.

For former Scotland international Lambert, though, it is all about club form as he prepares for the trip to Stoke.

"You would have to ask the people in charge [at England], but it is not something I am going to lose sleep over. I never think about it," Lambert told a news conference.

"If people want to pick him for his country, then it would be great for Grant, but I can't influence anybody's judgment.

"The next England manager I am sure will have his own players to pick, but I only concern myself with Norwich, Grant or any of the lads who are in contention for anything, that is my main concern.

"If they do get picked, then brilliant for them, if they don't then as long as they keep doing what they are for me, then I am more than happy."

It took a stoppage-time goal from Ryan Giggs, on his 900th United appearance, to beat Norwich at Carrow Road last Sunday as Lambert's men continued to impress on their top-flight return.

The Canaries head to the Britannia Stadium perched in eighth place, but only two points ahead of Stoke, who are 12th.

"The lads are playing really well and they are disappointed at having not got something out of the Manchester United game, which shows you just how far we have come as a football club," said Lambert.

"Stoke are extremely tough to play against, everybody knows that, especially going up there, but we just have to do the best we can."

January signings Jonny Howson and Ryan Bennett are set to travel to Stoke.

England Under-21 defender Bennett joined up with his new team-mates this week following an initial loan spell back at old club Peterborough, while former Leeds captain Howson featured in the reserves after his recovery from a knee problem.

"Jonny came through it really well and looked okay, but you can never tell anything from reserve games really," said Lambert.

"I won't put him on just for the sake of putting him on. It would have to be a position where we think it would change the game or help us to go on and win it or whatever, but I haven't decided really."