Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has revealed that he is confident that Portsmouth keeper David James will be part of his squad in time for their clash with Liverpool on Saturday. A loan deal is being discussed by chief executives Peter Storrie and Tony Scholes.
Pulis said: “We’ll have to see if the two clubs (Stoke and Portsmouth) can come to a deal and we’re hoping it will be tied up for the weekend, but it will have to be right for us.
“If we can get him we’ll be absolutely delighted because if there’s a weakness (in the squad) it’s been between the sticks in respect of having competition and back-up.
“We lost Thomas (to injury) immediately before the Fulham game and if anything had happened to (deputy) Steve Simonsen, then we wouldn’t have had a goalkeeper.
“It would have been a tragedy for us, and it really opens up your eyes. So we’ve an opportunity to bring in a top-class goalkeeper because we have heard he might be available.”
Pulis is aware that David James is desperate to perform well in the next few months, as the 39 year-old is hoping to be Fabio Capello’s England number one at this summers World Cup.
The Potter’s boss added: “You are signing a goalkeeper of real quality, and if he comes here he has a few months’ football to play. Sorensen has done brilliantly, so they will both be fighting for that one spot, but he (James) has something to prove as well.
“He’ll want to be on that plane to South Africa, and that attracts me to him more than anything else. He is desperate to play for England in the World Cup. So if we can bring him in and give him the opportunity to prove he is the best goalkeeper in England, and he proves that, then we’ll be delighted.”
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