Tony Pulis is frustrated at having to wait nearly two weeks before being able to work with Stoke's new signing Charlie Adam.Pulis gave the Anfield outcast a lifeline on transfer deadline day by signing him for £4 million, convinced Adam, 26, would add a creative spark at the Britannia Stadium.
But the midfielder's international duties for Scotland have left Pulis unable to spend any serious time on the training ground with him ahead of facing Manchester City this weekend.
The Stoke boss has seen Adam in match action against Wigan, but not seen him with his first-team squad at the club's Clayton Wood training complex.
"He only watched us in training the day before the Wigan match and then he was off to play for Scotland straight after," said Pulis. "He hasn't even worked with us yet and that is really, really frustrating with him being a new signing.
"I know these players are top professionals, who can quickly adapt, but they are also playing against top professionals, so you want time with them on the training pitch to prepare. Hopefully, Charlie will come back to us fit and healthy on Thursday after his international commitments. I am sure I am not the only manager bemoaning the fact he has so many players away."
Meanwhile, Pulis has distanced himself from the spat between England manager Roy Hodgson and his striker Peter Crouch.
He has been a long-time supporter of Crouch and firmly believed the £10 million signing from Tottenham should have been part of Hodgson's squad, ahead of Andy Carroll, for Euro 2012.
Hodgson has revealed Crouch refused to go on standby for the squad and has cast doubts over his long-term international future with comments ahead of the 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Ukraine.
Pulis does not want to be drawn into an international row and accepts that Hodgson is in charge of selecting the team.
Elsewhere, Stoke midfielder Michael Tonge is poised to move to Leeds United on loan while Millwall manager Kenny Jackett has enquired about taking Mamady Sidibie on loan.
