Stoke City boss Tony Pulis was happy to call on Charlie Adam for their 2-2 draw at Wigan Athletic.
Adam, signed 24 hours earlier from Liverpool, was introduced as a first-half substitute for Andy Wilkinson, who Pulis revealed had suffered concussion from a knock on the head and gone to hospital.
Referring to Adam, the manager said: "It was touch-and-go whether I started him or not.
"When he came on I thought the game had opened up a bit, and he is a good passer of the ball.
"They are away now for internationals which is disappointing for all of us, but hopefully he will get bedded in to what we want to do and the way we want to use him, and he will be a great asset for the football club."