Stoke City boss Tony Pulis admits he's twice tried to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku will lead the line for today's opponents West Bromwich Albion.

Pulis said: "I spoke to Chelsea first-team coach Steve Holland. He was very complimentary about Romelu and we wanted him.

"Unfortunately, there were plenty of other people who knew about him, too. I think West Ham and Fulham were in there. But Steve got him on loan because of his connections with Chelsea.

"Romelu's a good signing and has got better as the season's gone on."