The 31-year-old forward has a back injury and will not play for his country against near neighbours Denmark in a Euro 2012 qualifier. Potters manager Tony Pulis is pleased with the decision to withdraw Carew from international duty and he expects him to be back for the Premier League encounter with the Blues, having not played since March 5. "I know he wouldn't have been fit to play for us this weekend, so it didn't really surprise me he was pulled out of Norway's game," Pulis said in The Sentinel. "We are expecting John back at the club next Thursday as things stand, and I'd be disappointed if he wasn't close to being OK again. "Everybody has seen how well the big fella has done since joining us on loan from Villa in January - on and off the pitch. "He's a big character, and with a wealth of experience we will find useful with so many big games coming up between now and the end of the season."
