Stoke City boss Tony Pulis expects an even tough Premier League next season given the ambitions of the promoted clubs.

Pulis, who is planning for Stoke's fifth campaign in the top flight, believes the promoted trio can quite easily emulate QPR, Norwich and Swansea by surviving their first season back in the top flight.

"Next year will be tougher," he cautioned. "Southampton and West Ham have both had longer in the Premier League than Stoke, while Reading also had a taste of it for a couple of seasons not long ago.

"It also looks like all three have the potential to go out and build strong squads.

"Southampton have shown their intentions by going for Jay Rodriguez at Burnley and Jack Butland at Birmingham."