STOKE boss Tony Pulis is bracing himself for a Burnley backlash following the loss of Glen Little.

Pulis felt a shiver run down his spine when he learnt the Clarets had shipped out wily winger Little for two of Bolton's Premiership stars to add to the arrival of Andy Todd.

And the City chief reckons Stan Ternent's wheeling and dealing has made tomorrow's Britannia Stadium clash a much tougher game for his side.

He said: "Stan is an experienced old fox who knows the game inside out and it's no surprise to me he's got Little out to give himself room to bring players in.

"Those three signings will make Burnley stronger than the team that beat Crewe last week.

"All three have won promotion from the First Division in the past and now have Premiership experience as well."

Pulis added: "I've come up against Stan quite a few times over the years and I've yet to meet a Ternent team that wasn't strong and competitive.

"They did lose their first three games of the season, but they've since come back with a couple of wins.

"Don't forget they lost their first few games last season as well, but that didn't stop them bouncing back up the table.

"This one will be no different and he'll have them roaring out of that changing room tomorrow."