Pulis prepared to wait in transfer market

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is prepared to bide his time in the transfer market if necessary.

The Potters, who are in Croatia ahead of tonight's Europa League third qualifying round second leg against Hajduk Split, have only recruited former Tottenham centre-back Jonathan Woodgate so far this summer.

Spurs duo Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios and Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner are among those to have been linked with a move to the Britannia Stadium of late, while Cameron Jerome's name has emerged again after Fulham manager Martin Jol confirmed yesterday he had had a bid for the Birmingham striker turned down.

With Stoke having made an offer for Jerome earlier in the summer which was also rebuffed, it is thought they may now rejoin the race to land the player.

Pulis refuses to be drawn on the identity of his targets, though, and insists he will wait until near the end of the transfer window to make further signings if it seems the best thing to do.

"We'll do our business with the clubs and people might be surprised who we do eventually end up with," Pulis said.

"We will improve the squad before the window closes. But we've always done our business later in the transfer window rather than earlier.

"We have to make sure that we do our business at the right price - that is something that we have always maintained and something that we will always try to do.

"I think the closer you get to deadline day, there are better deals to be done with certain players."

The Potters go into this evening's match at the raucous Stadion Poljud holding a narrow 1-0 advantage over Hajduk.

With more than 30,000 supporters expected to roar on the hosts, much could depend on how Stoke - who are contesting their first major European tie for 37 years - handle the atmosphere, and Pulis has urged his side to show no fear.

"We've played at big stadiums for the past three years, and some of them can be pretty hostile," Pulis said.

"The big thing for us is that it is a new adventure and I don't think we should treat it in any other way.

"If our best is good enough, then brilliant and if it's not, so be it. But we must make sure we come here with no inhibitions whatsoever.

"Hajduk are a decent side and very good at home, so they know there is a challenge there - it is just about embracing that challenge."

Hajduk coach Krasimir Balakov has promised his team will be firmly on the offensive, although he admits with the tie so finely poised, the attacking strategy could be something of a gamble.

"It is a struggle that awaits us and it will be risky, but there is no other solution for us," Balakov told http://www.hajduk.hr.

"I have asked the players to take risks when they have the ball, demonstrate their creativity, and to not be held back by showing too much respect for their opponents."

Source: PA