City's second eleven slipped to their second successive defeat last night at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Potters were handed a timely boost ahead of the game with the news that club captain Dominic Matteo was in the starting eleven following a four month lay off.

Jon Parkin also started as did Marlon Broomes, and Academy stars Jimmy Phillips, Danzelle St. Louis-Hamilton, Nathaniel Wedderburn and Tom Thorley.

City's young side battled bravely for an hour against a Wolves team featuring the likes of former Arsenal man Jay Bothroyd, Nigerina captain Seyi Olofinjana and Darren Ward.

However, two goals in as many minutes secured maximum points for the hosts, but first team coach Mark O'Connor wasn't to dispondant.

"The lads did really well, especially the young lads like Tom, Nathaniel and Jimmy," he told stokecityfc.com.

"They had an extremely strong line up out there with a couple of international players.

"For two thirds of the game we matched them, and I was delighted with the performance, but towards the end we tired.

"They got their first goal when Ritchie De Laet was off the field receiving treatment, then they got another a minute later.

"It was great to see Dominic back in action though, and he came through the game ok."

WOLVES (4-4-2): Stack; Bailey, D. Ward, R. Edwards, Jones; Salmon, Olofinjana, Gibson, Melbourne (Ijaha 83); Bothroyd, Bennett. Subs (Not Used): Lumley (gk), Winnall, Davis, Spalding.

CITY (4-4-2): St. Louis-Hamilton; Thorley, De Laet (Wedderburn 65), Broomes, Vauls; J. Phillips, Keys, Matteo, D. Phillips, Parkin, MacDonald (Yilmaz 68). Subs (Not Used): Harrison, Diao-Jiminez.