The Black Cats were second best in a poor 0-0 draw with Stoke at the Stadium of Light on Monday night as their dismal run stretched to one Premier League win in 14. But after adding Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton on loan before Monday's 5pm deadline, Bruce is hoping to further reinvigorate his squad with Benjani. Bruce blamed technical difficulties for any hold-up in the registration but remains hopeful. "I think we've lodged everything in time, we've done everything we possibly can and I'm convinced we had everything in in time. "The paperwork was lodged but we had some huge, huge difficulties and we informed both the Premier League and the FA at the time of those. "It was well in front of the deadline when we got the green light to get Benjani in on loan but we had huge, huge difficulties with email and faxes so we hope a little common sense prevails. "We wait to find out but I hope we are granted the player, who would be a huge boost to us." Bruce's side had scarcely any clear chances against the Potters, but were unfortunate with two refereeing decisions as Howard Webb first gave Dean Whitehead only a yellow card when he kicked out at Lee Cattermole and then waved away penalty appeals when Robert Huth appeared to handle. Bruce said: "I thought it was a clear penalty and a clear sending off too. Those could be defining moments." Stoke boss Tony Pulis was delighted with his side's efforts in restricting the hosts and picking up another away point. He said: "It was not the prettiest game in the world but it was a good point for us and I'm very pleased. "It was always going to be a tough game and I think that was Steve's 'A' team, which is the first time in a while he's been able to put them out." Unsurprisingly, Pulis viewed Webb's decisions in a different light to his Black Cats counterpart but admitted he may have been partisan. "Is it a penalty? I don't know because I haven't seen it. Should he have sent him (Whitehead) off? Of course he shouldn't, but that is me being totally biased." Pulis also hailed the £3.25million signing of Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic before the expiry of the deadline. "We think he is a great addition and a great signing," said Pulis. "He's going to join our squad not just for now but for the future. We think he is one of the best young goalkeepers in the country."
