Tony Pulis would be sad to lose Ricardo Fuller at Stoke

Fuller was an unused substitute for Stoke's 2-0 defeat at Fulham

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has admitted that he would be sad to lose Ricardo Fuller if the striker completes a £3m move to Sunderland this week.

"You hope you don't lose players like that, but if it happens we have to move on," Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Ric's been a great player for this football club. He has been one of my favourites here and I'm sure he is to most of the supporters."

The Jamaica international has scored 48 goals in 177 games for the Potters.

Fuller, 31, joined Stoke from Southampton in August 2006 for £500,000 and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

He has scored three times this season but has only started nine league matches and was an unused substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Fulham on Saturday.

Pulis has a number of attacking options in his squad and added another striker on Friday, with John Carew joining on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season.

The Norway international played the final 32 minutes at Craven Cottage, but could not fire Stoke back into the game after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men.

Already a goal behind, Potters captain Ryan Shawcross was sent off for a foul on Clint Dempsey inside the penalty area, with the American converting the resulting penalty to seal the victory.

Speaking about Carew's first appearance, Pulis said: "It's difficult playing with 10 men and being 2-0 down. He'll be a good signing for us because I think he'll score.

"The sending off and the penalty killed the game."

Shawcross, who was also sent off in a defeat at Sunderland in November, will miss the FA Cup fourth round tie at Wolves and the Premier League trip to Liverpool due to suspension.