Mark Hughes wouldn't mind a repeat of the result at the Etihad earlier in the season - a 1-0 victory for Stoke, which stunned the Blues.

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"We played very well at their place," said the Stoke boss.

"We had a gameplan and on the day, in fairness to City, they were very gracious after defeat. They acknowledged on the day we were the better side and that doesn't often happen when you go to top clubs and take points off them."

By contrast, Man City are - by their standards - on a miserable run of form.

They have failed to win any of their last five games, a run which has left them seven points behind Chelsea at the top of the table.

"It's always dangerous to say maybe it's a good time to meet them," warns Mark Hughes.

"Maybe they are having a few problems with their home form, when teams come and get plenty of people behind the ball. But you still have to respect the ability they've got.

"Usually good clubs and top players bounce back very quickly so we will have to be ready for that."

Mark Hughes seems in very buoyant mood, and is clearly happy with how his team have been performing of late (one defeat in nine - and that was away at Arsenal).

"We're playing really well at the moment and I am really pleased with what we are producing. Despite the fact we've lost key personnel, the group is strong enough to cope," he says.

"We're looking forward to the City game. You want to be going into games against the top teams with lost of confidence and that's what we are doing."

Over to our final news conference of the day... and it's to Stoke City, where Mark Hughes is chatting about tomorrow's Premier League clash with Man City at the Britannia Stadium.

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First up, it's injuries and things don't look too good.

"We seem to be going through a little period where we are picking up injuries," explains the boss.

"Steven Ireland has picked up a hamstring injury, so he won't be available. Marc Wilson has been carrying a bit of a groin strain. We've had it scanned and he has a little tear so he's not available either.

"Ryan Shawcross is progressing well but won't be ready.

"The squad is a little stretched, the depth is being tested."

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club has announced that seven women are to become honorary members of the club.

They are The Princess Royal, Dame Laura Davies, Renée Powell, Belle Robertson, Lally Segard, Annika Sorenstam and Louise Suggs.

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In September, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club's members voted by an 85% majority to admit women as members for the first time in its 260-year history.

"This is an historic day for the club," said club captain George Macgregor OBE.

Robert Duncan: "Depressing thought of the day. In less than seven years I will be allowed to play walking football."

Wales manager Chris Coleman says Real Madrid's Welsh winger Gareth Bale can handle the "unfair" criticism he is getting.

Welshman Bale, 25, has been jeered by fans of the Spanish club in recent weeks.

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He was also criticised by some sections of the media following Saturday's 4-0 defeat by local rivals Atletico Madrid.

"He can handle that no problem at all," said Coleman.

BBC Radio 5 live

Tonight's 5 live Sport with Mark Pougatch comes from the Emirates where there will be news of Arsenal's game with Leicester and football discussion with Daily Mirror correspondent John Cross, but the commentary match comes from Anfield as Liverpool take on Tottenham.

Alan Green is your commentator with summaries from former Wales international John Hartson. After the match there will be a Football Social where you can air your views.

Blackpool have signed Gary Madine from Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season.

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Madine recently returned to Wednesday from a loan spell with League One side Coventry, where he made 13 appearances.

"As soon as I heard Lee Clark was interested, I couldn't say no really to my chance to play in the Championship again," he told the club website., external

James Hand: "I've put together a dossier to prove dossiers are pointless and it's better to actually just win matches."

Keep your worst sporting experiences coming to #bbcsportsday and the BBC Sport Facebook, external page.

Ian Megennis: Most embarrassing was a 4-4 draw against a team from Seaham. They only had seven players and we got a last minute equaliser.

Tim Collingwood: Being the Co founder of CHT Northampton Sunday league. Lost every game in season but got a free ticket for the Cobblers as sympathy.

Chris Knights: Being at fault, as keeper, for six out of eight goals conceded in a top of the table clash. Beat them the next week, without me.

Kenny Wheeler: Throwing up on the pitch after heading a ball following a particularly heavy night out the night before.

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Liverpool will wear a special one-off kit for tonight's game against Tottenham in support of the Seeing is Believing charity.

This will be the fourth consecutive year that the Merseyside club will join forces with their main sponsor by trading their usual logo with that of the charity in order to generate support and funds for Seeing is Believing.

Five of the Liverpool jerseys will be signed by players and put onto a week-long eBay auction to help raise money for the charity, with all donations being matched by main sponsor Standard Chartered.

Koeman says striker Emmanuel Mayuka will need an operation on his groin injury and is likely to be out for the rest of the season.

Koeman confirms new midfielder Filip Djuricic has his work permit and will be in the squad for tomorrow's home match against West Ham.

Matt Targett will not be involved after leaving the field at QPR in a neck brace last weekend. "The risk is too high after what happened last Saturday."

Plays down rumours he may leave the club: "There's no reason to be nervous about that. I like to respect my contract. I'm very happy in my job."

The Princess Royal, Dame Laura Davies and Annika Sorenstam have been named amongst the first seven honorary women members of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic have signed Hull City defender Harry Maguire on a one-month loan deal.

The 21-year-old, who has made six appearances this Tigers this season, could make his Wigan debut in Wednesday's trip to Nottingham Forest.

Sean Macleod: "All LVG did was confirm they are a long ball team, but just made more successful long balls."

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Opener Rohit Sharma hit seven sixes in his 150 as India thrashed Afghanistan by 153 runs in their final World Cup warm-up match at the Adelaide Oval.

Ajinkya Rahane added an unbeaten 88 off 61 balls as India made 364-5 and Afghanistan were restricted to 211-8, Nawroz Mangal top scoring with two sixes in 60 from 85 deliveries.

The Daily Mail, external reports: "Queens Park Rangers will push on with plans to appoint Tim Sherwood as their new manager on Wednesday.

"Sherwood is the No 1 candidate to replace Harry Redknapp at Loftus Road, with talks ongoing."