Stoke's Shaqiri, Cameron in contention for Spurs test

Stoke City's visit Sunday to Tottenham is set for a sizable boost with the potential returns of first-team regulars Xherdan Shaqiri and Geoff Cameron.

Potters boss Mark Hughes confirmed as much Saturday, saying: "Xherdan Shaqiri is OK again now and available for selection and Geoff is very close too - the game may come a little too soon for him but at the moment he is in my thoughts."

Swiss international Shaqiri is in contention to play for the first time since a Jan. 21 draw with Manchester United after picking up a calf injury, while versatile American Cameron has been absent from first-team duties since a 2-0 victory Oct. 22 at Hull City as he recovered from a knee concern.

Hughes added that both Jonathan Walters and Phil Bardsley returned the club's training sabbatical in Dubai.

There was more good news for Stoke supporters, as Hughes added that first-choice shot-stopper Jack Butland's long-term recovery from a broken ankle is progressing well.

"Jack is progressing really well, there haven’t been any setbacks that I’m aware of and it could be that he stays out there a little bit longer because he has been really impressed with the type of work that he’s getting," Hughes said of Butland's Qatar-based rehabilitation.

After dropping the reverse fixture 4-0 at Bet365 Stadium in September, ninth-placed Stoke will need all the help it can get against a Tottenham side that is the Premier League's lone side yet to lose a home fixture.

It doesn't get any easier for Stoke either, with next week's visit from Middlesbrough offering a fleeting reprieve before a trip to Manchester City and a home clash with table-topper Chelsea, further highlighting the magnitude of a fit squad for Hughes.

"The next four games, on paper, are really hard but we look forward to it. It's a challenge, as it always is, and will do our best."