Robert Huth goals delight Stoke City manager Tony Pulis

Robert Huth joined Stoke from Middlesbrough for �5m in August 2009

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has hailed the scoring exploits of Germany international defender Robert Huth.

The 26-year-old has netted six league goals in 24 starts, making him the highest-scoring defender in the Premier League this season.

Huth scored two late goals in the 3-2 victory over Sunderland on 5 February.

"By his own admission he didn't have the best game defensively, but to go up the other end and get the winner was amazing," Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke.

The former Chelsea and Middlesbrough centre-back also scored the winning goal for Stoke in their FA Cup fourth round victory at Wolves at the end of January.

Despite his good form for the Potters since his move from the Riverside Stadium in August 2009, Huth has been unable to add to his 19 caps for Germany.

His last appearance for his national team came in June 2009.

"Whether Fabio Capello picks Ryan Shawcross or the Germany manager (Joachim Low) picks Robert, that's up to them," added Pulis.

"I'm just glad I've got players of that quality and if they don't pick them, so be it."

Stoke, currently ninth in the Premier League, make the short trip to face Birmingham on Saturday.

"Birmingham will be as tough as any game that we play away in the Premier League," said the Stoke boss. "We will give them the utmost respect and it will be a tough game."

Meanwhile, striker Mama Sidibe has had a setback in his return from a five-month injury lay-off.

The Mali international broke down in training on Thursday, two days after scoring for the reserves in a friendly against Burton.