TONY Pulis heads to Burnley tonight insisting the signing of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has worked wonders – for Thomas Sorensen.

Pulis admits he and the fans are curious to see Begovic in action, but Sorensen’s form has tied his hands in recent weeks.

“Thomas has done smashing,” he acknowledged. “Obviously we are desperate to see Asmir in the team, and I think supporters would also like to see what he’s all about, but since he’s walked through the door Thomas has stepped up a gear and really taken it on.

“That’s no coincidence and just the reaction you want.”

Sorensen lines up tonight (7.45pm) behind a Stoke team that could be missing half-a-dozen senior players at Turf Moor as injuries and suspensions bite.

The likes of Glenn Whelan, Danny Higginbotham and James Beattie are all struggling, while Pulis hinted that Matthew Etherington’s knee injury remains short of a full recovery.

Etherington has been out since February 13, and Pulis said: “He felt the knee a little bit as we stepped up training, so we’ve taken it back down a level.

“We’ve got to be very careful, because he’s an important player. Danny Pugh and Liam Lawrence have come in and done well, but Matty is a bit special.”

Pulis admits Stoke’s FA Cup run has taken its toll on his squad, but he wouldn’t swap the experience of knocking out the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City before losing at Chelsea on Sunday.

“You’ve got to be lucky not to pick up injuries and suspensions when you’re playing three games a week,” said Pulis.

“I think our fans have enjoyed it as well, and enjoyed the pride it’s brought because we’ve done ourselves justice.”