Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke boss Tony Pulis insists staying in the Premier League is more important than winning FA Cup
Final flourish: Pulis would sooner stay in the Premier League than win the Cup[LNB]Tony Pulis insists Stoke becoming established as a Premier League club is more important than possible FA Cup glory next month. [LNB]Pulis is full of pride at the Potters' achievement in clinching a Wembley meeting with Manchester City in three weeks. [LNB]But he knows it is only the icing on the cake compared to Stoke staying part of the top flight and becoming aforce at that level. [LNB]Pulis,whose side entertain Wolves in a re-arranged game on Tuesday night, said: 'We are absolutely delighted that we've got to an FA Cup final. It's an absolutely brilliant achievement by the club. [LNB]'But the priority will always be the Premier League. [LNB]'That'swhere we want to play, and the longer we are in the Premier League the club will grow because it will give us the finances to make it a stronger club. [LNB]'We arein the black, we have just built a brand new training ground, we are investing into other areas of the football club we would have never dreamt of if we hadn't got into the Premier League. [LNB]'The Premier League is the food and drink and the icing on the cake is the cup competitions.' [LNB]Stokeare on the verge of guaranteeing a fourth successive season of Premier League football after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Aston Villa took them to the 39-point mark. [LNB] Back to form: Kenwyne Jones (left) was always a threat against Aston Villa [LNB]Pulis said: 'We have five more games to go and we've said all along we have to try to get as many points as we can from the games left.'[LNB]The Stoke boss believes striker Kenwyne Jones is back to his best after a lean spell and he scored the opener at Villa Park with a superb header. [LNB] Injury blow: Ricardo Fuller (left) could miss the Cup final[LNB]Pulis said: 'I think he has 10 goals now this season. He's hitting form at the right time.[LNB] 'Forwards go up and down. Rooney had one spell earlier in the season. He's got quality and eventually you know that will come through.'[LNB] Pulis is facing an anxious wait to determine the extent of the Achilles injury suffered by another striker, Ricardo Fuller, after he appeared as a substitute at Villa. [LNB]Fuller had to be stretchered off amidst fears the injury may have shattered his Wembley dreams, and is due to have a scan in the next 24 hours. He will not face Wolves.[LNB] Five star: Jonathan Walters heads back to Wembley after a 5-0 thumping of Bolton in the semi-final[LNB]But Pulis said: 'Let's see what the scans say first before we start throwing positives or negatives at it. Then we'll take a view.'[LNB] Stoke midfielder Rory Delap said: 'It didn't look good after the game. We are all devastated if it is what everyone thinks it is.[LNB]'You never know with the scan but we are all thinking of him and we know how devastated he is. [LNB]'He's been a big part of this club and it will be devastating if Ricardo misses the final.'[LNB]Stoke will be hoping another striker in on-loan John Carew will be available to face Mick McCarthy's Wolves side. [LNB]The Norway international was ineligible to face his parent club Villa but was sidelined in any case through illness. [LNB]Stoke (from): Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Delap, Etherington, Jones, Walters, Sorensen, Whitehead, Diao, Collins, Faye, Pugh, Carew. [LNB] Aston Villa 1 Stoke 1: Bent sends get well message to HoullierPREMIER LEAGUE NEW KIT SPECIAL: Strips your team will wear in 2011-12All the latest Stoke City FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Tony Pulis, John Carew, Mick McCarthy Places: Norway
