ROBINS TO LEVEL THE CITY FIELD

Potters boss says it's important to get all players up to speed to cope with busy fixture schedule

- Peter Smith

MARK Robins has one eye on the medium term as he makes selection decisions through a busy schedule.

The Stoke boss is convinced there is more to come from the squad as he gets minutes into players who have been on the fringes through the opening couple of months, including a few who missed at least a chunk of preseason.

Ashley Phillips has broken into the first team while Steven Nzonzi, Lamine Cisse and Robert Bozenik are getting increased time on the pitch after severely disrupted summers. Maksym Talovierov could be next in as Robins decides how to replace suspended Junior Tchamadeu at Portsmouth tomorrow (12.30pm).