The bottom two clubs in the Premier League meet on Saturday in a clash that already has the hallmark of a game that could define the season.Stoke City (0-3-4) and Sunderland (0-2-5) are both winless and separated by just a point at the foot of the table, while no other clubs in the English top-flight are yet to record a victory this season.And although its too early to describe any game in the division as a relegation tussle, the performances shown by both the Potters and the Black Cats in the opening two months of the campaign suggest that defeat in this game would leave either side with a lot of soul-searching to do before being able to find enough form to pull clear of danger.However, despite the pressure on the result, Stoke City boss Mark Hughes is arriving into Saturdays encounter with a surprisingly high level of confidence, with the coach looking to project as many positives as possible from his teams draw with Manchester United last time outWere the home side and if we play as well as weve done in recent weeks then we should (win), Hughes told reporters in his Thursday media conference. I think weve seen good signs in recent weeks -- we played really, really well at Old Trafford and deservedly got the point.Everybody can see weve been working hard and were trying to get that first win on the board. When we do I think that everybody believes that were going to go on from that point. It needs to happen at the weekend and Im fully confident that well be in good shape to look to make it happen.Sunderland also picked up a positive result last time out, drawing 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion to double their points tally from the previous six matches.However, manager David Moyes has yet to settle on an effective starting lineup since taking over at the club in the summer, and he hasnt been helped by a growing injury list.Jan Kirchhoff, Jason Denayer, Adnan Januzaj, Fabio Borini and Vito Mannone are all absent, while Victor Anichebe, Lee Cattermole and Steven Pienaar are also doubts for this contest.The pile up of fitness concerns is particularly damaging given the lack of depth in the Black Cats squad, and midfielder Sebastien Larsson -- who remains out with a long-term ligament injury -- says that lack of wins from the team makes being stuck on the treatment table doubly frustrating.The start to the season weve had makes it worse, the Swede said. Its hard enough being on the sidelines and getting your head around that, going to the games and supporting the boys when you know you arent going to be involved for a while.When weve scored Ive been jumping up and down… as best I could!I am fully focused on my recovery and my rehab, but at the same time I try to get myself as much involved as I can with the lads and help out and push them on and use my experience.Stoke arent short of their own injury problems, with Jack Butland, Stephen Ireland and Ibrahim Afellay all out and Glen Johnson and Joe Allen both doubts after picking up knocks on international duty. Ron Francis Penguins Jersey . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Matt Murray Penguins Jersey .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. http://www.penguinsauthenticofficial.com/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Justin Schultz Penguins Jersey .com) - Richie Incognito has reportedly been admitted to a psychiatric care unit in Arizona. Joe Mullen Jersey . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. OAKLAND -- Portland Trail Blazers center Festus Ezeli is contemplating a procedure on his left knee that would rule him out for the rest of the season, according to league sources.No final decision has been made, but sources told ESPN.com that Ezeli and the Trail Blazers are strongly considering the surgical route because Ezeli has not been able to play in Portlands first 29 games this season.Everyone has moments of setback. Its unfortunate and disappointing that I am facing one of those right now, Ezeli told The Undefeated. My aim is to fundamentally address issues that have lingered so that I can be the best that I can be, to help my team contend for and win the title. To all concerned I assure this: My love for the game nothing but ensures that I will be back better and stronger than ever, and you can take that to the bank.Blazers coach Terry?Stotts wouldnt confirm whether Ezeli was considering season-ending surgery, given that he has yet to play for his new team.I really dont have any comment on it, on his health or any medical procedure until something is scheduled or somethings actually done, Stotts said after Saturdays 135-90 loss to the?Golden State Warriors.ddddddddddddEzeli, 27, signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Trail Blazers last summer. The second year of the contract is a team option.Ezeli missed all of his first training camp with the Blazers, as well as exhibition play, after recovering from offseason knee injections that included a bone marrow aspirate.A 7-footer from Vanderbilt, Ezeli spent his first four seasons in the league with the Warriors. He missed the entire 2013-14 season following surgery on his right knee and missed six weeks last season after undergoing surgery on his left knee.Ezeli has traveled with the team the past few weeks but has not spoken to the media about his condition.Information from The Undefeateds Marc J. Spears and The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '