Pulis waits on Irish duo after ‘draining’ week

By Paul Walker - Saturday, November 21, 2009

STOKE manager Tony Pulis will assess the mental and physical state of Liam Lawrence and Glenn Whelan before he decides whether the two Republic of Ireland internationals can play in tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Portsmouth.

The pair figured in the Republic’s World Cup play-off defeat by France in Paris on Wednesday, when Thierry Henry’s handball set up the goal that has secured a place in the finals for the French.

The two midfielders only returned to club training yesterday and Whelan is already an injury doubt with the groin strain that curtailed his involvement in the Paris match.

Whelan has had a scan and that will also be assessed by Pulis ahead of the home clash with Pompey.

But Pulis is also concerned about the mental state of his two players after such a heartbreaking defeat.

Pulis said: "I will have a good chat with the pair of them to see how they are. Glenn has had a scan on his injury and Liam must be shattered.

"The two lads are mentally and physically drained, without a doubt. It is a concern. We will have to get their spirits back up again.

"Liam has played two full matches and extra-time over the last week. It is a mental as well as a physical thing.

"They have ended up losing out on the World Cup finals, that will have had an obvious effect on them.

"And they have been away on international duty playing two major matches, I will want to see how they are and what effect it has all had on them."