Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is confident goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen will hold his nerve upon his return to Aston Villa today.

"I don't think he's got anything to prove because he's done his best at Aston Villa," Pulis told The Sentinel. "I don't think he would go anywhere and not try his best. Thomas never let Villa down in terms of not giving his best. "He's done smashing for us. In only a couple of games you could look back and say he could have done better.

"He's a good lad and as fit as a flea. He needs no help from anybody else because of his experience. We need players at the back to play well - and we need Thomas to play well.

"We have got to pick up some results away from home, but I still say our home form will decide things."