Pulis treatment baffles Pennant

Pennant played just twice for the Potters last season, both appearances coming in August before he was sent out on loan to Wolves.

The winger returned to Stoke in January but did not play again for the rest of the season and his contract was allowed to run down.

However, after Pulis was replaced by Mark Hughes, Pennant was given a second chance and re-signed for the club in June on a one-year deal.

Pennant has had a troubled past, including a spell in prison, but he is adamant he was the innocent party on this occasion.

The 30-year-old told the Sentinel: "People were going on about I must have done this or I must have done that, but it was not the case at all.

"It was somebody falling out with a player and then washing his hands of him. Then people jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"But as a player, I came in every day, I wasn't late, I trained hard and gave no one a reason to doubt anything."

Pennant is hoping to be involved on Saturday when Stoke begin the new Premier League season with a trip to his former club Liverpool.

The winger thanked Potters fans for their continued backing, adding: "They have supported me from the day I came here.

Source: PA

Source: PA