Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has welcomed back fit-again defender Ryan Shawcross.

The former Manchester United defender was back in full training yesterday after carrying a back injury.

Pulis said: "Ryan has had a good week. It was worrying when we discovered he had a couple of tiny fractures in his back after the West Brom game, but it looks like he's making a speedy recovery.

"He has done some training every day this week and is now ready to join in with the rest of them.

"It's a big plus for us because he had really worked hard to get back in the team and was one of our best players before picking up the injury."