Stoke boss Tony Pulis has backed club captain Ryan Shawcross to maintain his standards and not be affected by talk of another possible England call-up. Ahead of next month's World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland, England boss Roy Hodgson may well have Shawcross in mind.
"Roy has managed in the Premier League, so he knows Ryan," said Pulis, quoted in The Sentinel.
"If he thinks he's good enough for England then great; if not, that's up to Roy and is fine with me.
"Ryan just needs a chance. If he gets it, then brilliant - and I'm sure he'll take it. If he doesn't, then he will just soldier on.
"I don't think it affects him. He hasn't been selected yet and his performances have been very good."
