Stoke manager Tony Pulis feels Sunderland's Martin O'Neill would be a "fantastic choice" to succeed Fabio Capello as England head coach.

O'Neill: Talked up by Pulis

Former Leicester, Celtic and Aston Villa boss O'Neill has had a major impact at the Stadium of Light since his appointment in December, the Northern Irishman taking a Black Cats team that was hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone into the top half of the table.

Wednesday's 3-0 win over Norwich made it 19 points from the last 27 on offer for the Wearsiders and saw them move into eighth place, leapfrogging Stoke, who they play at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Pulis is certainly anticipating a stern test for his side and sees O'Neill as a prime candidate to take charge of England after Capello.

"Just look at their (Sunderland's) form - I think they are the form team in the Premier League," Pulis said.

"I went up and watched them on Wednesday night and they are winning, they have got loads of confidence and Martin has got them really going. It is going to be as tough a game as we have had at the Britannia this year.

"It is not just the last few games he has managed at Sunderland. If you look at what Martin has achieved over his career as a manager, it has been exceptional.

"This is not just a coincidence - the record says that he is a top, top manager, because he gets results.

"If England are looking for a British manager next time around, if it is not going to be (Tottenham boss) Harry Redknapp then Martin would be a fantastic choice."

These are also heady times for Stoke, who have what Pulis describes as a "massive month" ahead of them, with an FA Cup fifth round trip to Crawley and both legs of their Europa League last-32 tie against Valencia to come on top of their league fixtures before the end of February.

Asked if he was facing the most challenging period of his managerial career, Pulis said: "Yes, and I think it will be one of the great moments, if we achieve success, that this football club has been through in its' history.

"To be in the position we are in at the moment - still challenging in Europe, in the fifth round of the FA Cup for the third year running and in the top 10 of the Premier League - means the next month is massive.

"We need everyone to be galvanised, especially the supporters. We hope we get their support like never before - and that is difficult, because they have been top drawer for us over the past four or five years."

Pulis, who strengthened his squad considerably last summer, goes into the hectic phase having not made any new additions during the January transfer window.

But questioned as to whether or not he has been left frustrated at not getting any new players in, Pulis said: "No, not really. Over the years we have done very well and this time around, it just wasn't there for us and didn't drop for us.

"If we could have done business we would have done, but we couldn't, so we get on with what we have got.

"The players have done smashing so far and we are very pleased with them and with their attitude and application."

Potters winger Matthew Etherington is a doubt for Saturday's game having missed two days of training due to a virus.

Aside from that concern, Pulis has virtually a full squad to select from, with only long-term absentee Mamady Sidibe (knee) unavailable.