After five wins in six preseason games, Stoke City boss Tony Pulis insists their excellent form matters little ahead of their Premiership kickoff against Bolton next week.

"Obviously I am delighted with how pre-season has gone," he told Stoke City World. "The players are raring to go and they are fitter than they were at this time last year.

"But why the results have been good, it doesn't really influence how next season is going to pan out.

"I have had great pre-seasons and had poor starts, while other times I have gone through a pre-season and hardly won a game and then started off in the league brilliantly.

"It is good to get wins under the belt because it breads confidence, but the main thing is making sure we are all ready and prepared for the Bolton game."