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

STOKE City boss Tony Pulis has put a clutch of fringe full backs on red alert following serious concerns over the fitness of right back Andy Wilkinson and left back Danny Higginbotham.

Wilkinson is suffering from a badly bruised back and internal bleeding, while Higginbotham has been scanned for a back problem which has left him on crutches.

“The pair of them are a big worry ahead of the Fulham game on Saturday,” admitted Pulis, “and that could mean a couple of new faces coming into the frame.

“Both Andy and Danny have been doing well this year, as everyone would agree, but we’re fortunate in that we have plenty of experienced back-up to call upon.”

On-loan Stephen Kelly, Andrew Davies and club skipper Andy Griffin head the cast list for any vacancy at right back, while Danny Pugh and Carl Dickinson could be vying for Higginbotham’s shirt at left back.

Those defensive injury problems will have a bearing on the personnel deployed in tonight’s reserve game against Tottenham at Nantwich Town (7pm).

“We’ll have to weigh up things carefully because we obviously don’t want to risk those who could be heavily involved at Fulham,” said Pulis.

Meanwhile, Pulis has brushed aside any worry that this Sunday’s appearance in the London Marathon will disrupt his preparations for Fulham the day before.

“Not a chance,” he insisted. “The Fulham match is first, second and third on my list of priorities.

“We have done brilliantly over the last few weeks, but only because we have all remained so focussed, and we still need some results to be sure of safety. And that begins at Fulham.

“Training for the run has actually helped me prepare for games in the last few weeks. When you’re running 12 or 15 miles along the road, no-one can disturb you and you have a clear head.

“But I can assure you that all thoughts of Sunday are peripheral in my mind now. Only after that final whistle blows at Fulham will I start thinking about the run.”

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