Follow live coverage as Stoke City face Hull City in the Championship today. An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season.

On their return to action last Friday, Walter's men welcomed promotion-chasing Sheffield United to the MKM Stadium and took a second straight 2-0 loss, as Gustavo Hamer put the hosts ahead inside 15 minutes and Sam McCallum doubled the lead soon after the hour mark.

City will be boosted by the return of loan goalkeeper Carl Rushworth after he missed out last weekend with a bruised knee, while recent signing Steven Alzate could be named in the squad for the first time, though Walter says he's still not ready to start a game.