Pulis could stack midfield for City visit

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis may play an extra man in midfield after watching Saturday’s opponents Manchester City demolish Fulham last Sunday.

Pulis described City’s 4-1 victory in the English Premier League as ‘fantastic’ and hinted either Marc Wilson or Glenn Whelan could be recalled to guard against the counter-attacking prowess of Roberto Mancini’s side.

He said: “Manchester City were brilliant at Fulham. Their performance was as good as anything I’ve seen in the Premiership this season and we face a very difficult game.”

“They play a different formation than most other teams. They are tight and organised and are very dangerous on the break because they have great players who can hurt you.”

“We have got to be ready for that and prepare accordingly, but we’ve also got players who can cause them damage, so it’s all about getting the balance of the team right.”

“We will need a special effort on and off the field if we are to get a good result. Our players will have to be at full throttle and so will our supporters, who were deafening when we beat Liverpool a couple of weeks ago.”Kenwyne Jones may be asked play up front on his own – with Ricardo Fuller demoted to the bench – if Pulis plays with a five-man midfield, which is likely to feature Jon Walters on the right flank.

Walters scored twice as a substitute in Stoke’s 3-0 victory at West Brom last Saturday and is favourite to take over from hamstring victim Jermaine Pennant, who is rated at ’50-50′ to be included on the bench.

Pennant lasted just 12 minutes before limping off at the Hawthorns and Pulis said: “We are pleased Jermaine’s injury is not as serious as first feared and it’s a bonus to even say he might be involved on Saturday.””Jon Walters and Andy Wilkinson returned from West Brom with slight niggles, but they should both be fine.”