Huddlestone & Edu close to Stoke move as Pulis looks to strengthen

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis says he wants to freshen up his squad before the end of the transfer window, as he closes in on signing Tom Huddlestone and Maurice Edu.

Stoke, who drew 0-0 with Arsenal on Sunday, have agreed personal terms with Rangers midfielder Edu and hope to sign Huddlestone from Tottenham on Monday.

"We have to be frugal but we need to wheel and deal and I'll be doing my best [to do that]," Pulis said.

"We need to freshen things up."

The Potters are interested in signing former England striker Michael Owen, while Huddlestone, 25, was at Stoke's training ground on Wednesday for a medical.

"We will hopefully revisit that on Monday," Pulis, referring to a possible loan move for Huddlestone, said.

If the Spurs midfielder joins the Potters, he will follow recent signings such as United States international Geoff Cameron, who made his debut in the goalless draw with Arsenal, midfielder Jamie Ness and winger Michael Kightly.

And Pulis said it was important to strengthen his squad despite having a tight budget.

"We've [almost] taken Maurice from Rangers, which is a good deal for us, and we are hoping he will settle in along with Geoff Cameron and be a big part of what we are trying to do this year," Pulis told BBC Sport.

"You can't take your eye off the ball, it's a relentless league. The players need to be on their toes and there is nothing better than good competition for places.

"We need to keep people bubbling as we have done over the last five or six years."

On the point against Arsene Wenger's side, Pulis added: "I was pleased in lots of respects and we can't get blase as a football club when we are playing one of the top teams in Europe."