Source: Team_Talk
Pulis delighted by Shawcross support
Shawcross has found himself at the centre of a storm since his challenge on Aaron Ramsey that ended in a broken leg for the Arsenal teenager at the Britannia Stadium.[LNB]Gunners boss Arsene Wenger described the tackle as "unacceptable" but Shawcross has been stoutly defended by Pulis and, also, a host of England's senior stars after gaining his first call up to Fabio Capello's squad this week.[LNB]"Ryan's been away and he's had a fantastic couple of days with England," said Pulis.[LNB]"I've made sure I've spoken to him every day and he has been fine and the players have been fantastic.[LNB]"Steven Gerrard, apparently, has been exceptional and as the captain of the team has really looked after him.[LNB]"People like Wayne Rooney and David Beckham have been brilliant and I think Shawcross will be the first to say how much help he's had from the players.[LNB]"Beckham has been very good with him, like they all have. It's the first time he has been called up for England and I think they do it with most of the lads.[LNB]"They are human beings and they know he is new to the squad, irrespective of what happened on Saturday, and that he will need some help."[LNB]Pulis said although he did not feel Shawcross' tackle was malicious they had decided not to appeal against his three-match ban as they wanted to put an end to the matter as soon as possible.[LNB]"I don't think it is an incident we want to bring up again," added the Potters boss.[LNB]"We'll take our medicine. It was an awkward challenge, not a dirty challenge and there was no vindictiveness.[LNB]"But we'll take our punishment as I think we have to move on and that is what we'll do."[LNB]Pulis is not concerned the England Under-21 international will have any problems getting straight back into action after his suspension.[LNB]"We'll speak to Ryan when he comes back because we have not had time to sit with him face to face," he added.[LNB]"He has got to come back now and make sure he works hard and gets himself back on that pitch.[LNB]"But we have to make sure Ryan understands it was an accident more than anything malicious and vicious and he has to move on.[LNB]"Ryan will get looked after at this club. We'll do our damnedest to make sure he gets over this unfortunate incident."[LNB]Both Pulis and Shawcross have spoken to Ramsey and received a positive response and there have also been high-level talks between chief executive Tony Scholes and Arsenal in a bid to smooth over relations between the two clubs.[LNB]In the past, Wenger had claimed Stoke players had tried to injure his squad and Saturday's incident only stoked his claims of a conspiracy to target Arsenal.[LNB]Pulis said those allegations were unjustified and the club wanted to draw a line under the whole matter.[LNB]"We've been in contact with Aaron both myself and Ryan and we will continue to do that through his recovery period," he added.[LNB]"It has been smashing, it has not been a problem.[LNB]"I think Tony has spoken to the powers that be [at Arsenal] but the most important thing for us here is the kid and it always has been the kid."[LNB]On Wenger's allegations, Pulis added: "We have played Arsenal three times this year and apart from Ryan's sending-off we haven't had one player booked.[LNB]"That doesn't sound like a team who go out to injure people. We are desperately disappointed."[LNB][LNB] Chelsea 3/10, Draw 4/1, Stoke 9/1
