The Potters chief's move for the injury-prone former Spurs centre-back may be seen by many as a risky signing, however Pulis underlined how important their new recruit could be if he is kept fit. At the moment the 32-year-old is training to get match-fit and was unavailable for Stoke's 1-1 friendly draw with Newport County, but he could be ready for the clash against Newcastle Town on July 20. "We've had Jonathan tested and there's certain things that we want to make sure we work on, strengthen up, before he even plays so he's started that process. It could take five days, it could take seven days, we're not sure," Pulis told Sky Sports. "But we really, really want to make sure that when he does come back, he's fit enough to play a game of football. "The important thing with Jonathan, and we understand this as a football club, is we've got to try and get him fit and then keep him fit and manage him through the weeks, that's the big thing. "We manage him through the weeks so he plays the games and then he's ready to go again at the back-end of the week to play another game. "We think he's a top, top player and also an experienced player. With the likes of Wilson and Huth and Shawcross, the young players in lots of respect, he should be a great asset for us."
