Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is facing up to the prospect of losing the throw-in ability of Rory Delap.

The Potters midfielder, 32, has been forced to wear a sling following an arm injury and is having pain-killing injections.

Now Pulis is hoping his personal rocket launcher will overcome the problem before Saturday's crucial home clash with Fulham.

He said: "It's a case of wait and see but at this stage I'm not losing any sleep over Rory being available for Fulham.

"Rory is a reliable and resilient so-and-so, as he's proved more than once in his two years with us, so he's pencilled into the squad."

Delap, who appears to have injured the arm when he fell awkwardly during a recent match, has set up seven of Stoke's 17 Premier League goals this season.