Stoke City closer to promotion today.

Stoke face Walsall in Division Two and the Bermudian striker would love to set a personal record straight against the Saddlers.

Lightbourne has twice been on the losing side against Ray Graydon's outfit since he left the Bescot Stadium.

But it could be third time lucky for the player who has forced himself back into the first team picture at Stoke recently.

Lightbourne, set to leave the club in the summer, has been on the substitute's bench for the last three games and could find himself adopting a similar role today.

"My last two appearances against Walsall have been disappointing and we lost both of the games,'' he said. "I think it will be another difficult game for us on Saturday because they are very well organised and everyone there is very focused on what they are trying to achieve.

"It's a huge game for both clubs because Walsall still have an outside chance of automatic promotion, while we need a win to boost our play-off hopes.

"I still think a lot of the club and would love to see them go straight up if they can, but realistically it looks like we'll both be in the play-offs.'' KIRKLAND SLIPS OFF THE PACE SLG Kirkland slips off the pace Jesse Kirkland dropped four places and James Doughty climbed nearly 20 after the seventh and eighth races at the American Optimist Dinghy Championships in Peru.

Fourth heading into Thursday's action in the Paracas nature reserve, where sea walrus and sting rays are an all too common sight, Kirkland recorded finishes of fifth and 22, the latter his worst of the regatta, triggering a slide down the standings.

Conversely, Doughty, 105th out of the 160-strong fleet going into the day, shot up to 88th overall following 23rd and 11th place finishes, the latter his best of the week.

Kirkland stands on 43 points, while Doughty has 185.

Croatia's Fantela Sime leads the event with a measly total of eight points, having recorded six outright victories, one second and a seventh.