Pulis offers Cup assurances

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis insists his side will treat the FA Cup seriously ahead of their third-round clash with Crystal Palace.

Stoke lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the final of the competition in 2010/11 but were knocked out of the Capital One Cup earlier this season by Swindon Town after Pulis rested several key players.

Ahead of Saturday s clash with Palace, Pulis said that although the league remains his main focus this season, they will treat English football s oldest club competition with respect.

The Premier League is the main priority without a question of a doubt, but we want to do well (in the Cup). We ve proved that we do take the FA Cup seriously, he told reporters.

I ll certainly change one or two because I think one or two need a rest but we ll show Palace the utmost respect because I ve got respect for Ian (Holloway) and also Crystal Palace.

It s a great football club. If they get back in the Premier League, they ll be filling that place week in, week out.

We know how difficult it will be. Out of all the draws you could get, when it came out we looked at it and thought it was going to be a really difficult game, and it will be because they re flying in the Championship.

Palace sit third in the Championship table but have won only one of their last six matches.

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