Strikers James Beattie and Dave Kitson could both be available to boost Stoke City’s firepower in the new season, manager Tony Pulis has admitted (Stoke 15/2 – to be top Midlands club).
The duo have been linked with moves away from the Britannia Stadium, after falling from favour at the end of last season.
And they were both left at home on Saturday when the Potters beat Burnley 2-1 at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium. Beattie has played less than 45 minutes of pre-season so far, while Kitson has been confined to playing in second-string friendlies.
But Pulis said supporters should not read much into that.
Pulis told the Sentinel: “Beattie trained with the other players who never came, because I wanted to give Mama Sidibe, Ricardo Fuller and Tuncay time in the middle.
“James would have just sat it out, so he had a training session back at the ground instead and I’m told he worked his socks off.
“Beattie and Kitson are both Stoke City players.
“At the moment they are working hard to keep fit and if we need them, we need them.”
Beattie’s future at Stoke (3/1 for top half finish) has been in major doubt since he clashed with Pulis over the manager having allegedly gone back on his word regarding the club’s Christmas party. The player initiated a club disciplinary action against Pulis, but it went against him.
Kitson failed in his first season at the Britannia Stadium but won his place back for a time last season and looked to have impressed Pulis, finishing with eight goals in the campaign – three of them coming on loan with Championship side Middlesbrough.
Beattie played in 24 games last season and only scored two goals – both in the 2-1 win against West Ham in October. But he had scored seven in 16 games at the end of 2008/09.
Beattie has been linked with a £1.5m move to West Brom, but Pulis refused to comment on the speculation.
The Potters manager also said there was “no truth whatsoever” in reports that he had tabled a £9m bid for West Ham striker Carlton Cole.
However, he said: “We are not just after a striker, but three or four players if we can.
“We have money to spend, but it’s got to be the right players at the right prices.”
City are shortly to learn the extent of injuries to midfielders Glenn Whelan and Rory after both went off during the first half against Burnley.
Whelan looked the more serious after pulling up with a calf strain that could sideline him until the start of the season on Saturday week.
Delap went off after his back locked, but Pulis was hoping to see him back in training ahead of tomorrow’s friendly at Bristol Rovers.
Player-of-the-year Matthew Etherington remains under treatment for the groin injury sidelining him on Saturday.
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