City defender Andy Wilkinson believes the players have nothing to fear ahead of the club's first ever season in the Barclays Premier League.

The Potters travel to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers in less than two months time and Wilkinson sees it is a perfect opportunity to show the world what the club are all about.

"I think it's a good fixture to start off with", Andy told stokecityfc.com.

"It's a team that we will be able to compete with and one that we have a good chance of causing an upset against.

"If we're up for it, and focused in the right way, then I don't see any reason why we can't go up there and get the three points.

"No game will be easy next season but hopefully it'll be better to play against the likes of a Bolton first to acclimatise ahead of the games with the big boys later on."

The trip to Gary Megson's side is followed the week after by a tasty first home game of the season against Midlands rivals Aston Villa, and the Stone-born youngster hopes to see a jam packed Britannia Stadium when the sides run out on 23rd August.

"Hopefully it'll be packed with Stokies," he added.

"We played them last season in a pre-season friendly so we'll have an idea of what they're about.

"They're a really good side and play good football but we'll be looking to get a win, as we do in every game that we play."