Stoke manager Tony Pulis has admitted that he is still trying to bolster his Stoke squad with new additions.
Manager gives Fuller his blessing amid speculation
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has admitted that he is still trying to bolster his Stoke squad with new additions.
Pulis has already secured the loan signing of John Carew from Aston Villa until the end of the season, but is concerned he needs more bodies to help the Potters maintain their mid-table foothold.
The Stoke boss believes that there are areas of his team that need strengthening, increasing the need to move quickly for reinforcements at the Britannia.
With the close of the transfer window just days away, Pulis believes now is the time that decisions are made and deals can be completed.
"The phoney war is still going on in lots of respects," said Pulis.
"It is getting closer and closer [to the close of the window] so decisions have to be made soon.
"You think you are close to bringing in players but it is a difficult market because no-one wants to spend money - everyone wants to loan.
"Everyone is threatening to do things but we'll have to wait and see. We are busy trying to wheel and deal.
"I think we have to fill a couple of spots urgently just to make sure we see ourselves through these last 15 [Premier League] games - it is important for us."
Fuller admiration
Pulis has insisted he will not stand in the way of striker Ricardo Fuller if the player would like to leave in a bid to maximise his earning potential.
According to the Stoke boss Sunderland have made an enquiry about the 31-year-old, and Pulis admits he would give the player his blessing if a deal could be struck.
"Ric's Ric. He's a different animal - I think he's talking about buying nightclubs, discos and music centres and all that," added Pulis.
"He has the opportunity to do very well for himself and as a manager, he's not only a player of mine, he's a friend and you have to help them as well.
"It's been a very good relationship. We've had our moments together - I'd be telling lies if I said we hadn't had arguments and fall-outs over the years.
"But he's a good lad and I have a lot of respect for him.
"If he's got the chance to go somewhere else and get maybe something which will secure his future for the rest of his life then we have to look at that and at the bigger picture.
"We have to take his personal views into account and I do that in lots of ways because he's been a great player for us."
