Liam Lawrence believes Stoke are "four top players" away from becoming an established top-flight side.

More Stories

• Championship Transfer Talk
• Stoke City team page

Potters boss Tony Pulis is currently plotting for life in the Premier League and midfielder Lawrence is anticipating an influx of new arrivals at the Britannia Stadium over the summer.

"I think we need four top players, or at least three, who can go straight into the team and give us that added strength we'll need," said Lawrence.

"We all know how difficult it will be, and I'm sure the gaffer is already working hard on it."

Lawrence is currently recovering from surgery on a groin injury, and he added to Stoke newspaper the Sentinel: "The operation seems to have gone well, but I won't pretend it didn't hurt.

"I've had things done to the ankle and the knee in the past, but this is probably the most serious I've had."