Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is looking forward to this weekend's clash with Steve Bruce's Wigan Athletic.

He said: "I've watched tapes of their games and I'm sure (Wigan manager) Steve Bruce will think they have played better than what their points return shows.

"They are a good team with a lot of pace and power, and we are looking forward to what is certainly going to be a difficult game.

"I've known Steve for some years because of our Gillingham connections and I've got a lot of time for him. He's a real football man and a smashing fella."