England Premier League Media

Stoke City’s new signing Eidur Gudjohnsen has conceded that he lacks match fitness after missing pre-season while looking for a club.

Gudjohnsen, 31, signed a one-year contract with the Potters after leaving French league club Monaco.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Tottenham.

“I just need football, to play games and get as many minutes under my belt as quickly as possible,” the Iceland international told BBC Radio Stoke.

Gudjohnsen had been training alone and admits that he could not replicate the intensity of training within a squad.

“You can only do so much on your own,” he added.

“I have done a lot of individual training so I don’t just walk in the door completely out of shape.

“It’s more just getting into the day to day football training again which I need and playing games to reach my best level again.”

Gudjohnsen has the international break to re-acclimatise to English football, with Stoke’s next game being against Aston Villa on 13 September.

Stoke have signed Eidur Gudjohnsen, Jermaine Pennant, Marc Wilson and Salif Diao on a busy transfer deadline day.

Gudjohnsen has signed a permanent, one-year deal from French club Monaco, while Pennant has joined until January from Spanish side Real Zaragoza.

Portsmouth’s Wilson has joined in a player-plus-cash deal, with Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson moving in the other direction.

Diao, 33, has re-signed for Stoke, penning a two-year deal.

The Senegal international midfielder left at the end of last season, when his previous contract expired, and had been exploring the prospect of a move abroad.

“It is fantastic. He is not only an experienced head, but a good person to have around,” said manager Tony Pulis.

“We made it perfectly clear there would always be a welcome for him back here and we’re delighted he has signed now.”

Diao joined Stoke in a permanent deal from Liverpool in 2007 after an initial loan spell.

His new contract includes an international ambassadorial role, and he said he felt he owed a debt of gratitude to Pulis.

“It’s great to be back home. I love the club and I love the supporters, so I always hoped something could be sorted out,” he said.

“I feel there is still unfinished business and I want to help Stoke City continue the excellent progress made in my time here.

“Tony Pulis is more than a manager to me and I want to repay the faith that he has shown in my ability at this stage in my career.

“I believe I can still make a big contribution as a player but it is also very exciting that I have another important role to play which could help bring new talent to the club in the future.”

Gudjohnsen, 31, had spent the second half of last season on loan at Tottenham where he scored two goals in 14 games.

The former Bolton, Chelsea and Barcelona player was shown around City’s new 7m training facility at Clayton Wood before entering into negotiations with the club.

His deal had initially been announced as a loan but upon discovering his contract with the French club was due to expire next summer, they agreed an undisclosed fee to make the move permanent.

The versatile Wilson, 23, was the Portsmouth captain and Pompey manager Steve Cotterill wanted to keep him at the club.

But after signing a four-year deal at Stoke, Wilson said: “It is great to be back in the Premier League.

“I had a taste of playing in the Premier League last season, it is the best league in the world and I wanted to get back there as soon as possible.”

Pennant, 27, started his career with Notts County before joining Arsenal for 2m as a 15-year-old in 1999.

The England Under-21 international has also played for Watford, Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool and Portsmouth before he moved to Spain in 2009.

Salif Diao has returned to Stoke after signing a two-year deal at the club, having left at the end of last season when his previous contract expired.

The 33-year-old Senegal international midfielder had been exploring the prospect of a move abroad.

“It is fantastic. He is not only an experienced head, but a good person to have around,” said manager Tony Pulis.

“We made it perfectly clear there would always be a welcome for him back here and we’re delighted he has signed now.”

Diao joined Stoke in a permanent deal from Liverpool in 2007 after an initial loan spell.

His new contract includes an international ambassadorial role, and he said he felt he owed a debt of gratitude to Pulis.

“It’s great to be back home. I love the club and I love the supporters, so I always hoped something could be sorted out,” he said.

“I feel there is still unfinished business and I want to help Stoke City continue the excellent progress made in my time here.

“Tony Pulis is more than a manager to me and I want to repay the faith that he has shown in my ability at this stage in my career.

“I believe I can still make a big contribution as a player but it is also very exciting that I have another important role to play which could help bring new talent to the club in the future.”

Pulis said Diao had a major contribution to make to the club’s future.

“He has an important role to play in the future of the club, both as player and in an ambassadorial role, but we appreciate that he wants to make the most of trying to enjoy more success on the pitch first and foremost,” said Pulis.

City also confirmed that Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson has arrived at the club to discuss terms on a permanent move.

And it has been reported Stoke have also agreed a deal to cover Eidur Gudjohnsen’s wages on a season-long loan from Monaco.

The Iceland striker spent time at Tottenham last season and his arrival would complete a busy day of transfer activity at Stoke.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti hailed a professional display from his players after the champions kept up their 100% record with a 2-0 victory over Stoke.

Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba were on target as the Blues followed up two resounding league wins with a less spectacular result against the Potters.

“We didn’t play our best football but we were focused and concentrated – it’s important to win,” said the Italian.

“It’s impossible to win 6-0 every week, today we played very well defensively.”

Chelsea began the season with 6-0 wins over West Brom and Wigan and, while they didn’t hit the same heights at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, they looked comfortable and are yet to concede a goal in the Premier League.

“I was happy because we won but we didn’t have a good, high tempo. The tempo was not continuous but we didn’t concede,” said Ancelotti.

By contrast with Chelsea’s winning start to the season, Stoke have lost all three of their games so far but manager Tony Pulis was pleased with his team’s work-rate.

“I think we gave Chelsea a game today. We did our best to frustrate them but we’re not getting that bit of luck in front of goal,” said the Potters boss.

“We had our moments but overall Chelsea were the better team. They had numerous opportunities but I give credit to our lads for the work they put in.”

Pulis revealed he hopes to make some new signings before the close of the transfer window at 1800 BST on Tuesday.

“I hope the window stays open long enough for me to bring three or four players in. We’re hoping to do some business,” he said.

Pulis also reiterated his desire to keep goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who has been linked with Chelsea, at the Britannia Stadium.

“Asmir is a decent kid and the problem has been other people getting into him behind the scenes. But I’m sure (chairman) Peter Coates will do his damnedest to make sure Asmir stays at Stoke City.”

Stoke boss Tony Pulis plans talks with Asmir Begovic after the keeper’s claim he did not refuse to play in the Carling Cup win over Shrewsbury.

Pulis said Begovic told him “he did not want to play” but PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes said Begovic would have played if asked to do so.

“I’m disappointed he [Begovic] has said that it wasn’t him who decided he wasn’t going to play,” said Pulis.

“I think that is desperately disappointing and I will speak to him.”

Bosnian Begovic, 23, joined Stoke from Portsmouth on 1 February, 2010 for 3.25m but has been linked with a move to champions Chelsea during the summer.

“He’s a good kid and he has been smashing ever since he joined this club, but something has turned his head,” added Pulis.

“It happens now in football and he is not the only one it has happened to – people blow in their ears, outside influences, and sometimes unfortunately they overstep the mark.

“I think you have to be strong enough as a football club, no matter how much pressure is being put on, to stand up at times and really protect your club.”

Begovic was expected to deputise for Thomas Sorensen in goal for Stoke against League Two outfit Shrewsbury but, instead, Carlo Nash was between the posts for the 2-1 victory.

“He said this morning he did not want to play,” Pulis revealed after the match. “I find that very disappointing. We pay his wages and he has a responsibility to the club.”

But PFA deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes responded: “Asmir was at great pains to make it clear to me and the wider public that at no stage had he actually said that he refused to play for the club.”

“Asmir’s take is that he had indicated that his mind was a little bit scrambled by things and that probably if there was an alternative it would be best if he didn’t play.”

When asked if Begovic’s actions would push the keeper closer to an exit from the Britannia Stadium outfit, Pulis replied: “With our chairman [Peter Coates] it is less likely. I do not think Peter will be pushed around.

“We won’t be giving him [Begovic] away and doing a deal because of what he has done.

“There has been interest from one or two clubs but nowhere near our valuation. We think he is a good goalkeeper and we want good players.”

Stoke booked their passage to the third round of the Carling Cup after overcoming League Two Shrewsbury.

The Premier League side had to survive a mini scare as the visitors threatened a comeback when Steve Leslie headed in at the back post on 79 minutes.

But in the end, two first-half headers proved enough to send Stoke through.

Jon Walters struck his first goal for the Potters when he headed in on 26 minutes and Tuncay doubled the lead with a header 11 minutes later.

Carling Cup second round
Venue: Britannia Stadium Date: Tuesday, 24 August Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio & highlights on The League Cup Show

Stoke’s Mali striker Mamady Sidibe could be out for the season after snapping his Achilles against Tottenham on Saturday.

Record signing Kenwyne Jones is also ruled out having not fully recovered from an ankle injury.

Shrewsbury will miss Lionel Ainsworth and Danny O’Donnell as they both picked up groin strains against Aldershot.

Benji van den Broek could replace Matt Harrold up front as he serves a one-game ban after being sent off.

Head-to-head

These clubs last met in the old third division in January 1992, with Shrewsbury winning 1-0.

Shrewsbury lead the overall head-to-head by six wins to five

Stoke

Stoke, League Cup winners in 1972, are looking for their first win of the season.

Stoke were knocked out by League Two sides in 2006 and 2007, losing to Darlington and Rochdale respectively.

Michael Tongue, who has made two substitute appearances so far, will start a club game for the 300th time in his career if selected in the 11.

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury came back from 3-0 down in the first round to beat League One side Charlton 4-3.

Town are unbeaten this season but lost their 100% record on Saturday with a draw against Aldershot.

Shrews last featured in the third round in 1993/94, after knocking out Premier League Southampton in the second round.

Stoke’s Mamady Sidibe may miss the rest of the season with boss Tony Pulis fearing the Mali striker has snapped an Achilles tendon in the defeat by Spurs.

Sidibe replaced Rory Delap in the 85th minute but within three minutes the 30-year-old had to be stretchered off.

“The medical staff have told me that it doesn’t look good for him,” Pulis told the club’s website after the 2-1 loss.

“We have to wait for confirmation. If that is the damage though, he will be lucky to play again this season.”

Sidibe missed around eight months of football after suffering cruciate ligament damage in a reserve game in March 2009.

The Mali international signed for the Potters in 2005 and helped them win promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis criticised the officials after his side were denied what would have been an equalising goal in their 2-1 defeat by Tottenham.

A close-range shot from Jon Walters late on appeared to go over the line but referee Chris Foy, in consultation with the linesman, did not give it.

“Why he (Foy) has looked across at the linesman when he was only two yards away from it, goodness knows,” he said.

“Sometimes they go for you, sometimes they don’t. We’ll take it on the chin.”

The controversial incident happened in the final moments of a frantic encounter.

Two Gareth Bale goals – the second a stunning left-foot volley – either side of Ricardo Fuller’s reply had put Spurs ahead, and despite a stern rearguard examination in the second half it looked like the Londoners would see out the win comfortably.

That was until Walters forced the ball goalwards amid a goalmouth scramble. Peter Crouch got down to clear the ball off the line – but Stoke were convinced the ball had crossed and appealed vehemently for a goal, only for their pleas to be waved away.

The incident is sure to heighten demands for video technology to be introduced into the game, but while Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said he would support those demands he felt justice had been done in not allowing the goal.

“There was a clear a foul on our goalkeeper in the build-up, a blatant foul by Robert Huth,” he said. “He has pushed him with two hands.

“I saw it on the replay and that is what Gomes told me in the dressing room. I didn’t see it when it happened.

“I’m all for technology, I am, but in the end justice was done because it was a foul.

“We deserved to win because in the first half they could not get near us. We passed the ball in fantastic fashion.

“You are going to come under pressure here. That’s the way they play. It is going to start coming in the box second half. You have got to deal with it. You are going to get scrambles and everything else. We knew that.

“It is a difficult place to come. They work their socks off. Tony Pulis gets the best out of his players all the time but overall we dealt with the pressure.”

Pulis admitted, too, that a foul by Huth in the build-up should have been given, saying: “It looked a foul but if he doesn’t give it then it is goal.

“Still, I don’t think any referee goes out there to make a bad decision now.”

Stoke have now suffered successive defeats after losing to Wolves on the opening day and Pulis added: “The first half we were not in it. We never pushed up enough and never got close enough to them.

“We pushed on in the second half and looked like the only team that was going to score. But it was not to be.”

New Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones has an “outside chance” of facing Tottenham on Saturday after making a quick recovery from an ankle ligament problem.

It was feared Jones, who signed from Sunderland this month, could be out for weeks after suffering the injury on his debut in Saturday’s defeat by Wolves.

But a scan revealed only minor damage and he has been able to resume running.

“He is much better,” said Stoke boss Tony Pulis. “Hopefully he can do a bit more and he’s got an outside chance.”

Jones, whose transfer from the Black Cats on 12 August was for a Potters club record of 8m, lasted barely 15 minutes of his first match following a challenge from Wolves defender Jody Craddock.

The 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international subsequently underwent a series of scans and X-rays on Monday that revealed he had not suffered any serious damage.

Pulis added: “I went running with him yesterday and managed to stay up with him, so he is still not as fit as he should be! But we are very pleased that it is not a serious injury.”

Jones almost made an immediate impact in his brief bow for Stoke, crashing a shot against the woodwork at Molineux.

Pulis admitted that the injury to Jones had affected his team, who conceded two first-half goals, scored by David Jones and Stephen Fletcher, before grabbing a consolation through Abdoulaye Faye.