Pulis will send out a strong side tonight for the Carling Cup quarter-final at home to Derby, but admits to needing more quality in his squad for their league programme.

Stoke have done remarkably well so far this term in the top flight, but Pulis believes he needs more strike power.

That will no doubt concentrate the minds of strikers Ricardo Fuller and Mamady Sidibe tonight, along with Richard Cresswell.

Pulis' is situation is not being helped by the persistent knee injury that has hit £5.5million signing Dave Kitson, who has yet to score since moving from Reading to the Britannia Stadium.

Rumours he is unhappy in the Potteries, or that Stoke will be prepared to sell him, have been strongly denied by the club.

But as Stoke try to reach their first major cup semi-final for 36 years, Pulis will no doubt be watching his front-men intently.

He says: "The window opens in three or four weeks and we will be doing some business to maintain our status in the Premier League.

"We are a bit short in a few areas, particularly the attacking areas. We could do with a bit more quality and hopefully we can do some decent business in the window."

Pulis is expected to all but abandon his squad rotation policy for the Carling Cup as a Wembley date comes closer.

Pulis made wholesale changes for the two previous rounds against Reading and Rotherham and for the match against the Yorkshire side he retained only two of his first-choice Premier League side.

But the reality of being just three games from Wembley - the last time Stoke were there was when they beat Chelsea in the League Cup Final of 1972 - is persuading Pulis to use his top stars against the Championship club.

Having performed magnificently on their return to the top flight, losing just two of 10 home games this term, the chance to crown their campaign with a cup final appearance is too tempting for Pulis.

Stoke have won five of their last six home games, and will be favourites to reach the last four despite Derby's resurgent form this term under Paul Jewell, having been relegated from the top flight last season.

Pulis says: "We are desperate to win this one, and get to the semi-finals.

"It would be a fantastic achievement. We will be going for the win and my side will reflect that."

He added: "This is a massive game for this club, and a game we will be desperately try to win in front of our own supporters.

"When they are at their best they can make a major impact on results for us, and I hope they are in good voice this time.

"There are one or two things I will change, and one or two things I will change."

Stoke will be without Kitson, while midfielder Michael Tonge is cup-tied. Pulis may well include second-choice keeper Steve Simonsen in place of Thomas Sorensen, while Irish midfielder Glenn Whelan could also figure.