City double christmas signings!

Last updated : 23 December 2004 By Rob Stanway

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has swooped to make two signings for the future with the double capture of Lewis Buxton and Anthony Pulis from Portsmouth.

The young duo have both signed two-and-a-half year deals at the Britannia Stadium.

Buxton, 21, a defender, goes straight into the first-team squad for the Boxing Day home game against Preston.

Meanwhile Pulis, a 20-year-old midfielder, is to go out on loan to League Two outfit Torquay United for the remainder of the season.

Revealing his signings today, the Potters boss says he is delighted to bring on board two young players of such talent and promise.

Buxton, who made his debut for Pompey as a 17-year-old and played nearly 30 games for the club in Division One, made a further 28 league and cup appearances while on loan at Bournemouth last season, while Pulis made his senior Pompey bow in this season's Carling Cup against Cardiff and has captained the reserves.

Adds the City manager: "They are two players for the future and that's why we have signed them.

"They are very much longer-term prospects in addition to other players we are continuing to chase.

"We'd been tailing both of them for several months now and the club's recent change of manager enabled us to move in."

The manager has his sights set on further signings and has confirmed he has recently made two `substantial' bids for players.

He adds: "We have made large offers for two players which we understand have been taken seriously by the clubs involved, and we are hopeful that players will come on board sooner rather than later to strengthen the areas that the first-team is lacking at this present moment."