Stoke boss Tony Pulis has received a triple boost on a frenetic day for the Potteries club.
Significantly, fears surrounding defender Robert Huth have eased as he is expected to be sidelined for just two weeks after being diagnosed with viral meningitis, the milder form of the illness.
On the transfer front, Pulis has completed the capture of Michael Kightly from Wolves for an undisclosed fee, whilst Geoff Cameron has been granted a work permit to finalise his move from Houston Dynamos.
For Huth and Pulis, the news comes as a major relief after the 27-year-old centre-back was rushed into hospital on Monday with a mystery virus after reporting for training. Following a series of tests to determine his condition, Huth is to remain under observation in hospital for the next few days as he completes a course of antibiotics.
Confirming the news, the official club website said: "He is progressing well in his recovery. Although it is too early to predict the length of his absence, it is likely to be at least two weeks before he is available to return to action."
It means the German will miss the season-opener at newly-promoted Reading on August 18, and potentially the first Britannia Stadium clash of the campaign with Arsenal eight days later.
At least Pulis has Kightly and Cameron on board with the start of the new season just around the corner. Kightly has quickly agreed personal terms and passed a medical to end a five-and-a-half-year spell at Molineux.
The 26-year-old said: "It's a great club, an established Premier League club, so I am delighted to be here. Any footballer wants to play at the highest level and I am grateful to Stoke for giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League.
"The club sold itself to me. What they have achieved over the past few years has been remarkable. Then there's the excellent facilities and the supporters. It's definitely a club that is moving in the right direction."
As a winger, Kightly's arrival will further fuel rumours Jermaine Pennant is on his way out of the club, but Pulis simply sees his capture as strengthening the squad. "There is nothing better than to have strong competition in all areas and Michael's arrival gives us that in the wide positions," said Pulis.
Source: PA
