Wilson Palacios is close to making his first start for Stoke City after arriving in the summer.
The Honduran international joined the Black Cats from Spurs at the end of August and could finally make his first start after being sidelined for most of the season so far due to injury.
"He is getting there, but it has been a longer and a slower process than we thought.
"But he has worked really hard to get there, so there have been no complaints on my part.
"We have just had to be really careful with him along the way because of his knee.
"It's important that when we do get him fit and out there that he stays fit and out there. But I've been pleased with what I've seen from him in training.""He needs games and these are the games he will need," Pulis told The Sentinel ahead of tomorrow night's trip to Manchester City.
