Pulis to assess Irish stars

Stoke boss Tony Pulis admits he will assess his Irish stars Glenn Whelan and Liam Lawrence before deciding whether they will play on Sunday or not.

The Potters face Portsmouth at the weekend, but Pulis is waiting to check on his Irish duo ahead of the clash.

He admits he will be having a talk with them to see whether they are mentally and physically ready.

"I will have a good chat with the pair of them to see how they are. Glenn has had a scan on his injury and Liam must be shattered," he said.

"The two lads are mentally and physically drained, without a doubt. It is a concern. We will have to get their spirits back up again.

"Liam has played two full matches and extra-time over the last week. It is a mental as well as a physical thing.

"They have ended up losing out on the World Cup finals, that will have had an obvious effect on them.

"And they have been away on international duty playing two major matches, I will want to see how they are and what effect it has all had on them."

No Tuncay issue

One player who will be involved is Tuncay Sanli, and he insists there is no issue with the Turkish star.

Tuncay was less than pleased when he was taken off after being on the field for just six minutes at Hull, when Abdoulaye Faye was sent-off.

And Pulis insists he fully understands why Tuncay had an issue with being taken off.

"I wouldn't have been happy either," said Pulis.

"If your put on a as a sub, then I wouldn't be happy and he wasn't, but his attitude in training has been brilliant, he is a good kid and he will be okay.

"It takes time for him to settle, he has been travelling all over Europe so it has been difficult but he has shown so much, not jut in his ability but character as well."