Rory Delap says Stoke City teammates are excited about a fully fit Wilson Palacios being available for the new season.

He says the Stoke players as well as fans are looking forward to seeing Palacios at his best.

Delap told The Sentinel: "Wilson hadn't played for a while before he signed. The manager knew that, so it was a case of trying to get him fit, as he has done with a number of players.

"But just as he was getting fit he would get another niggling injury.

"That would keep him out for a week, but could set him back double that.

"But we saw bits of how good a player he is.

"He's such a nice fella and everyone knows he's a good player, but good players have to be fit as well."