Pulis rules out O'Neil move

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has quashed reports that an exchange deal with Middlesbrough involving Liam Lawrence and Gary O'Neil is set to take place.

Republic of Ireland international Lawrence has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth with the Barclays Premier League outfit during the second half of last season and Pulis worked with O'Neil during their time together at Portsmouth, prompting suggestions a deal could be done.

But the Stoke boss has poured cold water on such talk, telling the Stoke Sentinel; "I haven't spoken to Gordon (Strachan, Middlesbrough boss) about this, so I don't know where it has come from."

He added: "I can't honestly ever see that one being a starter anyway, because I'm sure Liam would want to stop in the Premier League in this country."