TONY Pulis has told his star signings to muck in or sit out the action as the countdown begins to their Stoke City debuts, writes Martin Spinks.

And the City boss insists he will not tamper with his style of play just to please the armchair critics outside of the Potteries.

Pulis, who has newcomers Eidur Gudjohnsen, Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson at his disposal for Monday's 8pm clash with Aston Villa, says: "I'm not bringing in players to curry favour.

"I will always do it the way I think is right and suits this club and its fans, who want to see a team committed to the club and prepared to run around.

"Eidur and Jermaine have outstanding talent and we think Marc is technically talented as well, but until they work they'll not play.

"The team comes first and they've been told that. They have to throw off their individuality and join the group.

"Marc is the youngest of the three and a bit quieter than Eidur and Jermaine, but it's a good group here and it doesn't take people long to feel at home.

"I'd like to get them involved as quickly as we can, but that won't be to the detriment of the team – and the team we think can beat Aston Villa."

Pulis said particular attention was being paid to Gudjohnsen's fitness, while he also revealed the cloak-and-dagger operation to sign the big Icelander from Monaco.

"Apart from Peter and the Coates family," he said, "I don't think anybody knew.

"It was also helpful that Marc Keller, a player I had at Portsmouth, is director of football at Monaco. I kept ringing and ringing, then it turned for us. Then for 48 hours we had to convince the kid. He's carrying a bit of weight, but that will come off because he's a good professional. He's already shown his quality in training."

Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has undergone a scan on his injured arm and is taking antibiotics to clear up an infection in time for the Villa fixture.