Pulis: Stoke signings close

Stoke City manager, Tony Pulis has revealed that the club are close to signing two more players in the wake of Jon Parkin’s arrival from Hull City.

The manager, back behind his desk after returning from a holiday in the US, told the official site that they should be in a position to sign two players very soon and is hoping to sign a total of ‘three or four players within the next 14 days’.

Whilst giving no indication as to who these players are, he told BBC Radio Stoke that he would like to see Andy Griffin, Jonathan Fortune and Salif Diao sign permanent contracts. It was notable that Lee Hendrie’s name was not mentioned as it is now assumed that he will be playing his football elsewhere next season.

He also revealed that Griffin has been into the club to discuss things and Diao is expected back from Senegal next week so it is obvious that the club are, at least, in communication with these players or their agents.

Director of Football, John Rudge also told the Sentinel that he would like to see if Manchester United can loan some youngsters to the Potters. This worked well last season with Lee Martin joining and Rudge is hoping that before the season gets underway he can do another deal with Alex Ferguson.