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

TONY Pulis will look into the whites of their eyes before deciding what part Glenn Whelan and Liam Lawrence should play in Sunday’s visit of Portsmouth.

Pulis is concerned about the physical and emotional toll of losing so late and so controversially in Wednesday’s World Cup play-off in Paris.

The Irish duo were still dreaming of next summer’s finals in South Africa when Thierry Henry’s handball preceded France’s crucial equaliser in the Stade de France.

“Both lads have played in two simply massive games in the space of four days and, from our perspective, that obviously has to be a concern,” said Pulis.

“It’s an enormous ask of two relatively inexperienced international players at the best of times.

“But throw in everything that happened to Ireland and you are obviously left with a hugely emotional occasion for the players.

“I real feel for them – I think we all do – and I shall be taking a close look at what condition they are in, physically and emotionally, in the build-up to the Portsmouth game.”

He said both the club and the city should be proud of the pair’s contribution to Ireland’s efforts and agonising near-miss against the French.

And Henry’s handball further convinces Pulis that technology should now be deployed to decide the truly big decisions.

“Not just Stoke City, but the whole of Stoke-on-Trent must have been willing them on,” he said.

“Glenn played a pretty big part in their qualifying campaign and then Liam came in at the back end to make his mark.

“I’m so proud of them, and I’m sure all our fans are. Now we have to get them over this massive disappointment as soon as we can.

“The nature of the France goal has obviously left a nasty taste ... for everyone in football, not just the Irish.

“I think it’s important we show that cheating cannot be allowed to prosper in our game.

“I don’t agree with the extra officials behind the goal, like we’ve seen in the Europa League this season.

“What I would like to see is an official watching the replay upstairs somewhere and then being in immediate contact with the referee.

“It wouldn’t hold the game up any longer than the Irish players did by protesting about the handball at the time.

“And it might make sure we get the right decision.”