Stoke boss Pulis says Beattie incident closed

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis insisted on Thursday he had “drawn a line” under his row with striker James Beattie.

He added that, if fit, Beattie would be in his squad for Saturday’s Premier League match at home to Wigan.

Pulis and Beattie were alleged to have had a physical confrontation after last weekend’s loss at Arsenal with some reports suggesting the manager had headbutted the forward following an argument over a day off from training.

“It’s been different with a lot of focus on matters away from football,” Pulis said Thursday.

“But I’ve been in football 17 years and I know what to expect. I’ve always had certain golden rules and one is what happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room for lots of reasons.

“One is respect: respect for that group and the players. It should be kept within the group.

“I’ve never felt the need to come out and discuss things that have happened.

“We’ve had a meeting with the group on Monday, where James was involved, and I’ve had a meeting with James himself.

“As far as I’m concerned a line has been drawn under it and we move on,” Pulis added.

Stoke are currently 11th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone.