Norwich City and fellow Premier League new boys QPR and Swansea, have been given a vote of confidence by Stoke manager Tony Pulis.

Debut seasons in the top flight can become a nightmare for some teams, but Pulis believes the top three teams from last season's Championship campaign can break the mould. Pulis believes all three can emulate Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion in escaping an immediate return – and make the bottom half of the Premier League something of a congested battle ground.

'QPR obviously have the potential to spend big if they choose to,' Pulis told the Stoke Sentinel. 'While I think Norwich and Swansea will do it more gradually, a bit like ourselves. Home advantage will also be important for those two. The distances and the home crowds will make both their grounds hard places to go for us all next season.'