Fuller Still Vital To Stoke

RICARDO Fuller has been assured he still has a key part to play at Stoke City once he bounces back from a long-term Achilles tendon injury.

Fuller has been sidelined since April, while the deadline-day arrivals of Peter Crouch and Cameron Jerome threaten his place in the match-day squad.

But manager Tony Pulis has dismissed any suggestion that supporters have seen the last of the popular Jamaican in a significant role at Stoke.
"Not just Ric, but also Mama Sidibe, they both have a part to play for us in the future when they get themselves fit," insisted Pulis.
"That's why I named them and Danny Higginbotham in our Premier League squad, even though they're still injured at the moment. That shows how much I respect all three.

"As far as Ric is concerned, he's not just one of the best strikers in our club. I still maintain that once he's fit again, he's still one of the best strikers in the Premier League on his day.
"Whether he's starting a game or coming off the bench, he can do something that's a bit special, something very few players can do, to change a game."

Fuller is back on the training field, but currently restricted to individual work with the physios ahead of a possible autumn return.

Pulis is refusing to put a time scale on the precise timing of his maverick striker's comeback however... because he is impossible to predict.

"He's fine, but Ric is Ric and not really like any other player," he acknowledged.
"He will do it in his own time. But when he does, he's still got a lot to offer."
Andrew Davies and Tom Soares were put in the shop window in Stoke's goalless draw against Chesterfield reserves yesterday.

The duo, together with Danny Collins, Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge, are expected to attract plenty of inquiries from Championship clubs now the emergency loan window has re-opened.
All five were omitted from Stoke's 25-man Premier League squad last Friday.

STOKE have confirmed that the Premier League games which follow five of their six Europa League ties have all been put back 24 hours to a Sunday.
The new dates are Sunderland away (September 18, ko 1pm), Swansea City away (October 2, 3pm), Arsenal away (October 23, 1.30pm), Bolton away (November 6, 3pm) and Everton away (December 4, 3pm).
Stoke's sixth and final Europa League tie against Besiktas takes place on a Wednesday, so the following Premier League fixture, away at Wolves, remains on Saturday December 17 (3pm).