Tony Pulis has reassured Eidur Gudjohnsen he has a part to play at Stoke during the coming months.
Potters boss urges forward to use Begovic as an example
Tony Pulis has reassured experienced forward Eidur Gudjohnsen he has a part to play at Stoke City during the coming months.
Gudjohnsen joined Stoke on a one-year contract from Monaco before the transfer window closed, but has yet to establish himself in manager Pulis' plans.
The 32-year-old has only made five substitute appearances for the Potters and it is over a month since he last featured for the first team.
The Iceland international was recently linked with a loan move to Reading to build up his fitness, but Pulis has reiterated the former Chelsea man is in his plans.
Asked if he was disappointed with the way things had gone with Gudjohnsen since his arrival at the Britannia Stadium, Pulis said: "Not really. Eidur joined us as fit as the rest of the players.
"He had not done a pre-season and there has been a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes. He needs time and I still think he'll play a part in this season."
Fantastic
Pulis acknowledged the form of the club's other attacking players has contributed to Gudjohnsen's lack of football and he urged the player to follow the example of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
"He (Gudjohnsen) has been fantastic, smashing," added Pulis.
"He is good around the place and good with the other players, but Ricardo Fuller has done exceptionally well, so has Kenwyne Jones and Tuncay, and Jon Walters has done better than anyone else would have imagined.
"Eidur has had competition and that is what you have got to accept. You've got to have it at Premier League clubs.
"If they weren't doing it, then obviously there would be a better chance for Eidur to come into the team and play, but the lads have been given their chance and they have taken it.
"He needs a run of games and a chance in the team, a bit like Begovic. Asmir was disappointed he never got a chance early on, but he got his chance, he has stayed in the team and it is his slot now to lose."
