Stoke boss lines up swoop for James

The potential transfer from Portsmouth was being discussed by the clubs' chief executives Tony Scholes and Peter Storrie.

Pulis believes James will add to the competition for the number one spot at the Britannia Stadium.

"We'll have to see if the two clubs can come to a deal and we're hoping it will be tied up for the weekend, but it will have to be right for us," said Pulis.

"If we can get him we'll be absolutely delighted because if there's a weakness it's been between the sticks in respect of having competition and back-up.

"We lost Thomas immediately before the Fulham game and if anything had happened to Steve Simonsen, then we wouldn't have had a goalkeeper."

James is known to be itching for first-team football to boost his chance of playing for England in the World Cup and Pulis feels that strengthens his chances of recruiting the 39-year-old.

"He'll want to be on that plane to South Africa, and that attracts me to him more than anything else. He is desperate to play for England in the World Cup," said Pulis.