Skip to content

Pulis praises defensive duo

Image: Tony Pulis: The Stoke boss has been thrilled with the contribution of defenders Wilkinson and Wilson

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has paid tribute to two of the Potters' unsung heroes - defenders Marc Wilson and Andy Wilkinson.

Full-backs Wilson and Wilkinson are Stoke's unsung heroes

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has paid tribute to two of the Potters' unsung heroes - defenders Marc Wilson and Andy Wilkinson. Pulis' Stoke side host Tottenham on Sunday with Peter Crouch, Jonathan Woodgate and Wilson Palacios - who all left White Hart Lane in the summer -looking to impress. However, Pulis, whose team sit in eighth - 13 points behind Spurs - has preferred to praise the efforts of Wilson and Wilkinson in the build-up to the match. Wilson - a summer signing from Portsmouth last year - has mostly played left-back this campaign, while fellow full-back Wilkinson has played in three of Stoke's last four league games after working his way back into the team. "Marc Wilson doesn't get the credit he deserves," said Pulis. "People talk about Ryan Shawcross, Matthew Upson and Woodgate, but Wilson has been outstanding this season. "For a player who is more of a midfielder than a full-back he has done fantastically well for us. He has so much quality when he gets the ball. "I see him eventually growing into a position, but he just wants to play and will play up front or wide just to get into the team."

Injury doubt

Wilkinson, meanwhile, is an injury doubt to face Spurs after injuring his back in training, and Pulis is desperate to see his defender fully-fit. He said: "We need Wilko. He is a very good defender and they have two very good wide players in Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale. We need full-backs who can compete. "It will be a disappointment if he is not fit." Peter Crouch, who is expected to start for Stoke, scored two goals for Tottenham in a 3-2 home win the last time both sides met in the league.

Around Sky