Coates looking to buy

Pulis: Has chairman's backing to spend

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Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has admitted that the Potters will be out to sign a number of new players in January.

With injuries and suspensions leaving manager Tony Pulis with just one fit striker in Vincent Pericard at present, Coates understands that re-enforcements are needed.

Defeat against West Ham on Sunday saw Stoke slip into the bottom three on goal difference but with the bottom of the Premier League so tight they still find themselves a win away from 11th.

With no league win in six attempts Pulis and Coates know that they must add to the squad if the side are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

"We've always intended to strengthen the squad," insisted the chairman as he spoke to Stoke's official website.

"Our squad has done very well to step up but we've had our fair share of injuries and we've not had much luck either.

"Tony would like to strengthen the squad for the important second half of the season and I think there'll be at least three signings.

Additions

"I'm still confident we'll be okay (to avoid relegation). The league is so competitive this year, more so than any season I can remember, but we're a competitive side.

"Any three of twelve could get relegated but we believe we can give any team in this league a game and we've proven that with some of the results we've got."

Coates was also quick to play down any talk of the club's key players leaving in the transfer window.

"We've had no approaches for anybody yet but I wouldn't mind it if we did," he added.

"It shows you that you have good players in the squad and that you are doing a good job.

"But the fact is we want to keep our best players and we won't be selling anyone that we don't want to.

"Any players who do leave the club will be ones who we let leave."