Tony Pulis has dismissed reports linking Stoke with a deal to sign £2.2m-rated winger Modou Sougou from Romanian outfit CFR Cluj. Pulis was at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening and saw the Senegal international in Champions’ League action against Manchester United.But it is understood he has no interest in a player who, at 27, is older than he is looking to recruit.
But Pulis has taken an extended look at American duo Sean Johnson and Kei Kamara in training at Clayton Wood.
Johnson, the 23-year-old Chicago Fire goalkeeper, is also due to train with Everton during his visit from the States.
Kamara, a 28-year-old striker born in Sierra Leone, was Sporting Kansas City’s leading scorer last season but did not play in July’s friendly against Stoke.
Pulis is expecting a tough time on the touchline from Villa boss Paul Lambert this afternoon – despite treating him to fish and chips earlier this season.
Pulis took him to a chippy in Nantwich after Lambert attended a reserve game between Stoke and Villa.
“I rang him up to see if he was coming,” said Pulis, “then we had some fish and chips. Of course, I paid.”
But Pulis anticipates no such favours when he drops by Lambert’s place today after describing the Scotsman as one of the country’s top up-and-coming managers.
He said: “I think you always have an advantage if you’ve worked at a lower level and Paul has done that.
“He was also a great player at some top, top clubs, and won a European Cup with Borussia Dortmund, so he’s a very experienced lad in football terms.”
Pulis is giving little away about whether Peter Crouch or Kenwyne Jones will get the nod today following the former’s return to training after dental work for his broken teeth.
He added: “It’s been either Peter or Kenwyne in the last few games. Kenwyne has done smashing, but he’s got to keep himself at that level to stay in the team.”
Dean Whitehead, last week’s match-winner at West Brom, is on standby to replace the suspended Charlie Adam in midfield.
