Luiz Felipe Scolari is looking forward to visiting Stoke tomorrow, and believes such matches improve him as a coach.

The manager has prepared his side for three matches inside a week after games against Manchester United and Portsmouth. Now there comes a third game against another style of team.

'It's a contrast. We need to learn to play against Manchester United and against Stoke, and we need to know this. This week we were talking about this. After the game against Portsmouth, we have three days to say about this or that.

'We know about Stoke City, and we have advice last week. They played Liverpool and drew at the home of Liverpool.

'It's very good for a coach because every day we need to study the opponents and their characteristics. I learn every day about players, systems and clubs. For the coach it is very well to play this week against Manchester United, Portsmouth and Stoke. It is good for a coach and the players.'

The Brazilian admits the Potters' robust and direct style is something he hasn't had to experience too many times, but is relishing the challenge.

'No, because in Brazil we don't play with this characteristic. In my state, yes, because we play with a strong style and have winter, different from Sao Paolo or Rio. In the national competition the teams don't have this style.'

On the subject of Scolari's homeland, he added another Brazilian to his squad this week with the capture of Mineiro on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old will be an important addition, Scolari believes.

'He is one more player in midfield because I lost Essien for six months. If I lose a player in that position I needed to put a player in who is not this position.

'Mineiro marks very well and doesn't stop on the field, he has good positioning and played against me in Brazil many times. I know him very well and he plays for the club, not himself.

'He is one player I believe plays the same as [Claude] Makelele, same position, thinking the same, his body is the same, not too many times in front, but gives the ball for others to play. For us he is very good.'

There was an answer too for anybody who has questioned the midfielder's abilities after he was without a club since leaving Hertha Berlin in the summer.

'He didn't want to stay there and wanted to change, he wants to stay in Europe and not go back to Brazil. The best clubs in Brazil made offers for him but he wants to stay in Europe, his family wants to stay and it's good for us because we have two players in this position,' Scolari said.

Essentially, it leaves the manager with two players in every position, and he insists competition for places is healthy.

'[I will] rotate sometimes, it's impossible to change all the players. You need to have a base of five or six players who play all the games. When a player is ready to train he is ready to play. This is my idea about competitions and they know about this.

'I like all my players the same. If I need to change something I tell the players, I am the same with this player or that player, they know this too.

'I think they improve every day because they work hard and they learn. They are intelligent players. If they make some mistakes in training they know and they are better now.'