The failure of fans' favourite Ricardo Fuller not to start against Tottenham has forced boss Tony Pulis to defend his decision. Fuller was struggling with jetlag following a stint with Jamaica and Pulis felt he was not mentally ready to start.

"He has problems travelling back into England," Pulis told the club's official website.

"He struggles with sleeping coming back, he's almost had two days of being awake and it's hard getting him back in that sleep routine and he has really struggled.

"On Saturday we pulled him out of training, he's over slept before the game because he didn't hear his alarm clock.

"We're very pleased with his performance when he came on.

"We need him fit and up and running, especially at our place, because the supporters idolise him, and he's a big player."