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

STOKE star Ricardo Fuller is to be granted further summer leave to ensure he returns firing on all cylinders for the big Premier League kick-off in 24 days.

City boss Tony Pulis insists last season’s leading scorer will benefit from a further extension to his close-season break in the Caribbean because of this summer’s international assignments with Jamaica.

The rest of the Stoke squad has been back in pre-season training since July 9, but Pulis reasoned: “Ric does need a bit more time off because he’s been working all summer.

“I’ll speak to him when I get back from Austria and then decide exactly when he’s back
with us.

“We’ve got to give him a bit of grace because of the games he’s been involved in.

“We’ll see how his fitness is when we see him.

“The thing with Ric is keeping him bright mentally as much as physically.”

Fuller has missed the week-long trip to Austria, which ended with last night’s 1-1 draw against Israeli outfit Hapoel Tel Aviv, courtesy of Salif Diao’s first strike for the club from at least 40 yards.

“It was a brilliant goal and I hope they’ve got it on camera,” beamed his manager.

“[Coach] Mark O’Connor is always taking Salif out about his shooting, but now Salif has got his own back.”

Stoke’s better work came in the first half when their strongest-looking line-up established a deserved lead before wholesale changes inevitably disrupted their game after half-time.

“In the last 20 minutes of the first half,” said Pulis, “I thought we really looked a team and were very solid.

“A few of them are still a bit stiff and leggy from all the work we are doing, but that’s what we’ve got to do and there’s a long way to go.

“It is hot and humid out here in Austria, but the players’ attitude has been brilliant again.

“But a week is long enough away from home because after a week they start getting fed up with each other and missing their families.”

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen sat out last night’s 1-1 draw through injury to leave Steve Simonsen the only player completing the full 90 minutes.

“He just felt his back a little bit and so we didn’t take the risk,” Pulis added. “Simmo was grazing in the six-yard box, so it was no problem for us.”