by Martin Spinks
martin.spinks@thesentinel.co.uk

STOKE City hardman Andy Wilkinson appears to have survived a worrying injury scare that could have decimated his pre-season preparations.

Wilkinson fell in a crumpled heap during training here in Austria and immediately clutched his shoulder to spark initial fears of a dislocation.

But the club’s medical staff are now hopeful the shoulder will recover in time for Wilkinson to resume his close-season build-up in days rather than weeks.

Wilkinson, who had already hurt his shoulder in last Friday’s friendly defeat by St Pauli, fell awkwardly in training after jumping with Ryan Shotton in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a close-range goal.

“We will most probably keep him out of things for the next couple of days to make sure it settles down,” said manager Tony Pulis.

“We think he’s just damaged the top of his shoulder and so the doctor thinks it should be okay.”

Fellow full-back Andrew Davies is also on the sidelines, but Pulis is hoping inflammation on his knee will disappear in time for him to figure in tomorrow night’s friendly against Hapoel Tel Aviv.

And Ryan Shawcross should also be available after being rested because of growing pains still causing slight pain in his knee during intensive training.

Pulis is continuing to work his players hard with double training sessions, often in searing temperatures, before they return home from Austria on Wednesday.

“Preparation is so, so important,” he stressed. “You try to get the players as fit as you possibly can and then leave it to them.

“But I think we have good players with decent character and a sense of responsibility. Sometimes they look tired because we do work them hard, but they never moan.

“We want to be strong, fit and mentally tough for the new season ahead.”

Meanwhile, Pulis remains cool in the face of no new signings, despite the likes of Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead and West Ham striker Dean Ashton remaining firmly on his radar.

“Traditionally, we tend to sign players later than most clubs,” he commented.

Tom Soares has teamed up with his colleagues here in Irdning after being allowed to fly out late because of the birth of his first child.