Stoke will have to do battle against Aston Villa tonight, minus manager Tony Pulis, who is absent due to family reasons.
Sky Sports News broke the story and in a fateful twist both sides will now be without their managers, with Villa already without new boss Gerard Houllier, who is in France sorting out contractual isues with his former employers, the French Football Federation.
The Potters will now be led by assistant manager Dave Kemp in tonights game, which kicks off at 8pm.