Stoke boss cools Sharp talk

Last updated : 31 August 2006 By Luke Thornhill

The Potters have considered a move for Sharp, as well as Carlisle striker Karl Hawley, but Pulis reckons he has been priced out of the market.

He told The Stoke Sentinel: "We know the players who are doing well and scoring goals, and we're aware of the Billy Sharps and the lad at Carlisle. But it's a case of if they are the right deals for us.

"We go to clubs now and they are asking for £1million before you've even finished your first sentence.

"We are not paying that for someone who hasn't yet proved they can score at Championship level.

"I don't mind giving them a down payment, with further instalments to follow the better the player does with us. But it's not sensible to pay up front for someone still unproven."

Speculation on the Iron-Bru.net messageboard has linked Hull, Wolves and Coventry with approaches for 20-year-old Sharp, who already has three goals to his name this season.