Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes it will take another month for summer signing Eidur Gudjohnsen to reach full fitness.
The 32-year-old forward has made just four Premier League appearances since joining the club on a free transfer from Monaco prior to the transfer deadline.
But Pulis believes former Chelsea and Tottenham man Gudjohnsen will be ready to become a more regular figure in December.
The Potters boss told The Sun: “(Eidur’s) weight is still a bit up on what it needs to be. Hopefully sometime in December we should have him up and running.
“The pace of the Premier League now dictates you have to be 100%.
“He’s good to have around the place and shown glimpses of what a player he is. But he’s not up to the level we want.”