Pulis pleased with recovery

Anthony Pulis made his Saints reserve debut last night in a 2-1 victory over Championship rivals Swansea.

Pulis left Stoke this summer to join the Saints on a free deal. Southampton felt that they needed to strengthen the midfield and were able to get Pulis just before the transfer window ended.

The 24 year old played an hour of the win at Staplewood and is pleased to be back playing: ‘It’s been a long time coming,’ Pulis said, ‘but it felt good to finally pull on a Saints shirt and get back out there.”

The centre midfielder knows that he needs to use the reserves to re gain his fitness: ‘I’m going to need some games, because you can’t expect to have three months out and then go straight into a Championship game. I know I’ll have to go through the Reserves to get my fitness because you can do as much fitness work as you like in the gym, but nothing can recreate match conditions.

Pulis declared he is eager to play for the first team, yet is realistic concerning his fitness: “I know it’s going to take a few weeks but hopefully I can challenge for a place, although it will be difficult, as there are a lot of good midfielders at the club.”