Pulis backs Pennant`s Ireland claims

Stoke boss Tony Pulis would be happy for Jermaine Pennant to represent the Republic of Ireland - but has reiterated his belief that national associations should be required to pay players' wages for international friendlies. Pennant, who played for England under-21s but has never won a senior cap, is looking into the possibility of joining up with Giovanni Trapattoni's Irish squad after revealing he is eligible through his grandfather. Asked if it was something he would welcome, Pulis said: "If Jermaine has any Irish connections and Ireland want him, he has been terrific for us and is a good player. "We have a lot of players at this club playing international football now and I think it just shows the progression. A couple of years ago, if you had said there were international players playing for Stoke City, you wouldn't believe it. So if Jermaine is going to be another one, then fine, that is not a problem with me." However, Pulis has already made it clear he is not a fan of non-competitive international fixtures and thinks there would be a marked reduction in the amount that are arranged if national teams had to pay for their players' services. Pulis added: "I think for full-blooded games, where they are playing competitions, it is fantastic to represent your country. But what I think should be done is that if they want to play friendly matches and take players away for them, then they should pay the players' wages - and then you'll see how many friendly matches are actually played."

Source: PA