Source: Team_Talk
Virus worry for Potters boss
Stoke manager Tony Pulis is trying to limit the effects of a virus that has hit two of his key players over the past week.[LNB] Winger Jermaine Pennant and striker Kenwyne Jones both came down with the bug at the start of the week. They have suffered high temperatures and flu-like symptoms.[LNB]Both players started in yesterday's Carling Cup defeat at West Ham, but were substituted during the second half.[LNB]Pulis said: "The two of them weren't feeling that brilliant after the Manchester United game, so we were a little bit careful with them.[LNB]"Kenwyne actually felt worse when he was up in London after he woke up from a sleep on Wednesday afternoon, but we persuaded him to give us an hour.[LNB]"He looked very good when he played.[LNB]"We didn't get back in until half past three this morning, so we've given them the day off."[LNB]Pulis is confident both players will be well enough to start against Everton on Saturday, but was set to assess them this evening.[LNB]He said: "They'll report back tonight and we'll look and see who's ready to go and who's not, because it'll be a tough game."[LNB]Despite some of his squad playing 120 minutes in the game at Upton Park, Pulis has no qualms about throwing them in at Goodison on Saturday.[LNB]"We'll make some changes, but the players work very, very hard on their fitness," he said.[LNB]"They get paid damn good money, so to ask them to play three lots of 90 minutes, or whatever it is, over a week, I don't think is too much.[LNB]"It's a mental thing as well as a physical one, and we'll try to get that right as well."[LNB]There was positive news on the contract front from Stoke today, as Danny Higginbotham signed a one-year extension.[LNB]The 31-year-old former Manchester United and Sunderland defender is now tied to the Potters until 2013.[LNB]Higginbotham has helped Stoke establish themselves in the Barclays Premier League since joining them two years ago following their promotion.[LNB]However, he has fallen down the pecking order this season, having not started in the league since the opening day.[LNB]Pulis said: "He may not be in the side on a regular basis at the moment, but he still has a crucial role to play, as do a number of other players in a similar situation.[LNB]"The fabric of a football club is made up of the whole cloth, not bits and pieces, so we are delighted Danny will remain a part of that."[LNB]
