Fuller bidding for Stoke start

Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller has told manager Tony Pulis he is now ready to start every game after overcoming his shoulder problems.

Fuller, who scored in City’s English Premier League wins over Birmingham and Liverpool last week, insists he has suffered no ill-effects and is desperate to start at West Brom on Saturday.

The Jamaica international has scored in two of Stoke’s last three visits to the Hawthorns, and Pulis is delighted Fuller appears to be over his injury problems.

“I’ve had Ric for a long time and I can sense when he is ready and when he might not be ready,” Pulis said.

“We were obviously concerned when he dislocated his shoulder twice in three weeks, but he’s worked hard at his rehabilitation and I could tell he was raring to go before the Birmingham game. I could see it in his eyes.”

“Ric’s not always easy to fathom out, and goodness knows what he gets up to when he travels back to Jamaica on international duty, but he’s been a great signing for this football club. He’s a special player.”

Pulis has no new injury problems to contend with in the wake of last Saturday’s convincing victory over Liverpool and has allowed fringe midfield players Michael Tonge and Danny Pugh to join Preston on a month’s loan.

He said: “We’ve only got Mamady Sidibe as a long-term injury and Michael and Danny are desperate for some game time. It will do them good going to Preston and we will see what develops.”

Stoke have an excellent record against West Brom in recent years – including two wins and a draw on their last three visits to the Hawthorns – but Pulis is preparing his players for a tough game.

The Stoke boss said: “All the three teams who were promoted from the Championship last season have surprised people. West Brom, Blackpool and Newcastle were expected to be in or around the bottom three, but they’ve all done much better than that.”

“West Brom drew at Manchester United not long ago and they will be desperate for a result against us after not doing so well in the last two or three weeks.”

“Our guys are buzzing after beating one of the biggest club’s in the world last weekend, but West Brom have got some dangerous players and we will treat them with the utmost respect.”