Pulis rules out Pennant splurge

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is ‘desperate’ to keep on-loan Jermaine Pennant at the club, but will not break the bank to do so.

Pennant will return to Real Zaragoza in January if a deal cannot be finalised by the two clubs.

The Spanish side have said that they want six million pounds for the former Liverpool midfielder but Pulis is refusing to splurge for his services.

“Jermaine’s under contract with Zaragoza and if they don’t want him to come or if we can’t do a deal then he’ll go back there,” Pulis said.

“We’re desperate to try and keep him if we can but we have certain guidelines that we stick to that we won’t move on and that’s been made very clear by the people above.”

“There’s stuff going on behind the scenes. It is difficult because you’re dealing with a club abroad and away from home. But things are ongoing about a deal.”

Speaking on the weekend’s fixture against Blackpool at Britannia Stadium, the Stoke boss is well aware of the threat posed when playing a newly promoted team.

“I think it will be one of our toughest games for two reasons. One is that we will be the favourites, which is rare for us, and secondly the fact that they are such a well drilled, fit, organised team.”

“They’ve got threats all over the pitch. They’re just playing where if they win, lose or draw, I don’t think they’re too bothered. I think Ian’s got them in that situation, no one expects us to do anything so why should we worry, just go out and enjoy yourselves.”

Pulis is hoping to have a fully-fit squad to choose from with the probable returns of Pennant and defender Andy Wilkinson but he is not ruling out making a few changes for the game.

“Jermaine and Andy will be in contention but whether I change it or not will be a different matter,” he said. “We’ve got one or two little niggles, but we’re hoping that everyone will be ok for selection at least on Saturday.”