New Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has won three of his five matches in charge, with home league triumphs over rivals Newcastle United and Manchester City particularly encouraging.
The challenge for Poyet is now to get his side performing on their travels, with the Stadium of Light outfit - who sit second-bottom on the table - possessing a dreadful record on the road.
Of their 15 matches away from home in all competitions this year, they have won just two, with the last coming in April at St James' Park.
"That's three wins out of three at home and we're in the quarter-finals of the (League) Cup as well," Johnson told the club's official website.
"We've had some tough fixtures at home and now we play two of the teams in and around us away from home.
"Hopefully the lads who are away (on international duty) can come back fit and we can take that into the next couple of games."
Charlie Adam's last-gasp penalty rescued a point but manager Mark Hughes will have been disappointed with his side's defence as they threw away a 2-0 lead.
They have struggled for goals - only Adam has scored more than one in the league - but will hope the league's worst defensive outfit, Sunderland, continue to struggle at the back.
Stoke's only injury concern is Andy Wilkinson (knee), who will not play, while Sunderland have a clean bill of health ahead of a busy period.
