Tony Pulis has voiced his frustration at the false start Charlie Adam has made to his Stoke career after signing from Liverpool.
Stoke manager unhappy with international schedule
Tony Pulis has voiced his frustration at the false start Charlie Adam has made to his Stoke career after signing from Liverpool.
The Scottish midfielder joined the Potters on transfer deadline day and, without a training session under his belt, made his debut 24 hours later as a substitute in their 2-2 Premier League draw with Wigan.
Adam then went on international duty with Scotland straight away and has since played in World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia.
The 26-year-old still has not taken part in a training session with his new side, leaving Pulis to lament the delay in getting him up to speed.
"He only watched us in training the day before the Wigan match and then he was off to play for Scotland straight after," Pulis told
The Sentinel.
Preparation
"So he hasn't even worked with us yet and that is really, really frustrating with him being a new signing.
"I know these players are top professionals who can quickly adapt, but they are also playing against top professionals, so you want time with them on the training pitch to prepare.
"Hopefully, Charlie will come back to us fit and healthy on Thursday after his international commitments."
Pulis also stated his displeasure at seeing the Republic of Ireland playing a friendly on Tuesday against Oman, with Stoke defender Marc Wilson among those who featured.
He added: "These games are just there to make money for the football associations involved.
"Marc Wilson is away with Ireland, and as his club manager you are just keeping your fingers crossed he comes back in one piece from a meaningless friendly."
