Stoke City boss Tony Pulis says he was happy to send Michael Tonge and Dave Kitson away on-loan this week.

Tonge has joined Preston, while striker Kitson has signed with Middlesbrough.

"Senior players can get a bit uptight and restless when they're stuck on the bench and not playing," Pulis told The Sentinel. "Sometimes it's better to let them go out and get action under their belts.

"We'll keep a close eye on both players while they're away to check on their progress, just like we have with Carl Dickinson and Ryan Shotton at Barnsley."