Pulis admits Shawcross concerns

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis admitted yesterday that he would not stand in the way of defender Ryan Shawcross quitting the club in favour of a move elsewhere, should a big club come calling.

Manchester United have been persistently linked with a move for the centre back in recent months, but Stoke are planning a new six year contract for the defender.


Pulis said: "If a top-three or four club came in and they paid the money, there’s no way in a million years we’d be able to prevent Ryan from going.


"It’s a natural progression for players to play at the top level.


"If a top-four club came along and the money and everything was right for both the club and the player, then it would be very difficult to stop the player from going. Ryan is a fantastic man but he has to do the best he possibly can for himself and his family."