Tuncay has a role to play - Pulis

Tuncay suffered relegation from the Premier League with Middlesbrough

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis insists that Tuncay remains a big part of his plans, despite him not yet having started a Premier League game for the Potters.

Reports on Friday linked Tuncay with a move away from the Britannia Stadium in January, but Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke that he will be given his chance.

"He's a top player and we will use him, don't worry about that," said Pulis.

"He's missed a month of football because he's been away with Turkey and we don't want to put pressure on him."

The Stoke boss continued: "We've got to take our time with him, make sure that he's as fit as the others, and he understands the systems that we play. But he is a top player."

The former Fenerbahce striker, who signed from Middlesbrough in August for £5m, has been limited to three substitute appearances in the league and a solitary start in the Carling Cup since his arrival.

Tuncay was named on the bench for the 2-1 win over West Ham on Saturday, but did not make it on to the pitch.

James Beattie scored his first two goals of the season to see off the troubled Hammers and elevate Stoke into ninth place.

He netted from the penalty spot in the first half, before scoring a close-range winner following Matthew Upson's equaliser.

And Beattie told BBC Radio Stoke: "It was nice to get off the mark.

"I've been a bit unlucky and I've had a couple of injuries, but it's nice to be back with a couple of goals.

"More importantly it was good to get the three points, following on from our draw at Everton."

Former England international Beattie scored seven goals in 16 games for Stoke after signing from Sheffield United in January, helping the Potters finish 12th in their first Premier League campaign.

Stoke now travel to in-form Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (24 October, 1500 BST) before heading on to Portsmouth the following Tuesday night in the Carling Cup (1945 GMT).

But they have a chance to cement their current place in the Top 10 as the three league games following the Spurs trip are all against teams currently in the bottom six.

A visit to Hull City comes either side of home dates with promoted Wolves and bottom club Pompey.