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Ian Holloway calls on Tony Pulis to rescue Stoke as Potters throw their weight behind under-fire Nathan Jones

Ian Holloway has ruled himself out of the reckoning for the Stoke City job, insisting Tony Pulis is the only man who can save the struggling club.

Current boss Nathan Jones was expected to lose his job today after crisis talks with Stoke officials, but in a dramatic turn of events the 46-year-old revealed he maintains the club's full backing.

 Jones has won only five of 34 matches as Stoke boss and he remains under intense pressure at the Bet365 Stadium
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Jones has won only five of 34 matches as Stoke boss and he remains under intense pressure at the Bet365 StadiumCredit: Getty Images - Getty

This is despite a run of ten league games without a win at the beginning of the new season, including eight defeats, which sees them rock bottom of the Championship table.

Amid the uncertainty surrounding Jones' future, talkSPORT host Alan Brazil asked Sports Breakfast guest Ian Holloway if he fancied the job.

"They wouldn't want me mate!" Holloway replied.

However, one man who has been linked with the role is former Potters boss Tony Pulis.

The 61-year-old has spent two spells in charge of the club, the first between 2002 and 2005. He returned to Stoke in June 2006 and spent seven years there, guiding them to the Premier League and keeping them there for the duration of his tenure.

 Ian Holloway joined Alan Brazil on the Sports Breakfast this morning
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Ian Holloway joined Alan Brazil on the Sports Breakfast this morningCredit: Talksport

"For me, there is only one man for the job and it would be Tony Pulis because of his record and what he did there before," added Holloway.

"If I was going to make a decision, then I would try and talk Tony into going myself."

However, for now, it appears as though under-fire Jones will be allowed to carry on despite the club's woeful start to the Championship campaign.

In a press conference on Thursday, Jones said: "I speak to the owners all the time and they are fantastic. They know the work I do and I'm a fighter.

"I have spoken to them this morning. I know they are fully behind me and want me to succeed. I just have to repay that faith.

"If I felt that the players weren't with me I wouldn't be sat here today. I know they are.

"Some are going through a tough time at the moment however I don't think there is a lack of work rate."

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