Stoke manager Tony Pulis has praised the manner in which Carlo Nash and Chris Riggott have settled in at the Britannia Stadium.Goalkeeper Nash and defender Riggott, on loan from Wigan and Middlesbrough respectively, made their City debuts in the 1-1 draw against Burnley last Saturday and both played their part in the 1-0 win at Norwich in midweek.

They now seem set to retain their places in the starting XI at promotion rivals Watford at the weekend with the glowing praise from Pulis ringing in thier ears.

"Carlo has brought more assurance between him and the back four," said Pulis. Him and Riggott have stamped their authority on the team."

Just three points and one place separates second-placed Stoke and the Hornets going into the weekend, but Pulis is unconcerned by their rivals.

He added: "We don't worry about anybody else. We've just got to keep looking inwards on what we do."

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