Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross is excited by the team manager Tony Pulis has put together.

The Potters go to Swansea today aiming to avoid another post-Europe blip like the one they had after they ­travelled back from Kiev and lost 4-0 at Sunderland.

Shawcross said: "We've brought in some top class ­defenders. Matty Upson and Jonathan Woodgate are both seasoned internationals so nobody should be surprised.

"We've kept clean sheets against Chelsea and Liverpool and defended well against Manchester United.

"We've stood up to that, so there's no reason why we ­cannot stand up to whatever else is thrown our way."