Stoke boss Pulis hopes for swift return of Wilson and Shea

Posted Tuesday, February 12, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is hopeful that Marc Wilson and Brek Shea will both be fit for the Potters' match against Fulham on Feb. 23.

Defender Wilson broke his leg in late October against Sunderland, while Shea has yet to make an appearance for the Potters having arrived at the Brittania Stadium on deadline day from MLS side FC Dallas.

Pulis' side does not play this weekend, which he believes will be useful in getting the pair up to match fitness.

"We have a break now where we can rest one or two of the players up for a little while, and the ones who we are trying to get back can step things up, which is fantastic for us,” he told the club's official website.

“We are looking to stage a couple of friendly games over the next week or so to give players like Marc and Brek a chance to step up their fitness.

“If they do that, then they will definitely come into the equation for the Fulham game; there is no doubt about that.

“Brek has looked really lively in training since coming back here, and Marc was close to being part of the squad at the weekend. It would be a real boost to have them available to us.”