Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson believes the Barclays Premier League opener against Bolton gives them a decent chance of making the perfect start to their top-flight return.

The Potters, runners-up to West Brom in the Coca-Cola Championship last season, travel to the Reebok Stadium on Saturday August 16.

Wilkinson told the club's official website: "It's a good fixture to start with. It's a team we will be able to compete with and one 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."