Stoke boss Tony Pulis has revealed new-boy Eidur Gudjohnsen will play some part against Aston Villa on September 13.
Gudjohnsen has admitted he is lacking match fitness having missed out on a full summer of preparation while searching for a new club.
Pulis has stated the former Bolton, Chelsea and Barcelona star will have a "mini pre-season" before seeing any action but the Potters boss has now revealed he hopes the 31-year-old will be available to face Villa at the Britannia Stadium.
"Although Eidur has a bit of catching up to do, he is a fantastic professional," Pulis told the club's official website.
"You have to be to play at the highest level and enjoy the success he has achieved. It will depend on the amount of work we can do with him which will determine whether he starts the Villa match or whether we put him on the bench."
Meanwhile, Jermaine Pennant, another deadline day signing, has revealed Pulis played a major part in his decision to move to the Britannia Stadium.
He told the Stoke City Player: "I saw Eidur had flown into Stoke and I was thinking 'that's a good signing', but I didn't know at that time I was on my way there too.
"Then I got the call from my agent and it was a very attractive move and my agent told me Tony Pulis will definitely get the best out of me."