Stoke boss Tony Pulis is supportive of Jermaine Pennant applying to represent the Republic of Ireland. Pennant, who played for England under-21s but has never won a senior cap, and is now looking for Irish eligibility 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 wants to see a reduction in international friendlies and for national teams 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."
