Coyle is set to leave Burnley after two years in charge to take the vacant managerial post at Bolton.

Coach Steve Davis has been named caretaker manager and will take charge of the team for the Barclays Premier League clash with Tony Pulis' men.

"It will have come as a blow to them, but if anything it will bring them together even more and they'll be desperate to come out and show that life goes on without him," said Shawcross.

"Steve Davis will take charge for the game and I'm sure he will be desperate to get a good result and put his name in the mix for the job.

"He is well liked by the fans and players so he, like the rest of them, will be desperate for a win.

"They have a very good home record, so we can't afford to take anything for granted.

"They are similar to us in many ways because they have turned their place into something of a fortress, so we have to go there and be professional, give them respect, but hopefully get the job done."

Striker Tuncay Sanli is Stoke's only doubt with a hamstring injury sustained in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Fulham.

Bolton caretaker manager Chris Evans could again be in charge for the trip to Sunderland, whose boss Steve Bruce is expecting a tough game.

"They've changed the manager but they've been in the Premier League for something like eight years - we've been up and down a few times in that period," Bruce said on the club's official website.

"You have to take your hats off to them. They've been up here for a lot of years now which means they've built a nucleus of a very decent squad."

Hull winger Richard Garcia believes the struggling Tigers are capable of springing a shock against leaders Chelsea at the KC Stadium.

Prior to last week's FA Cup loss at Wigan, Hull produced battling performances in defeat to Arsenal and Manchester United and came from 2-0 down to draw at Bolton.

The Australia international, who has started City's last 10 games, said: "It should be a decent game. We have been playing well of late and maybe not getting the results we deserve. We have tried to address that and hopefully we can go forward and put that right on Saturday."

Aston Villa can move into the top four with victory at Wigan, who beat them on the opening day of the season.

Elsewhere, Manchester United are at Birmingham, Arsenal host Everton and Portsmouth will look to boost their survival hopes when they travel to Fulham.