Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is backing defender Ryan Shawcross for an England call.

Pulis is confident Shawcross is destined for a call-up to the senior national side and thinks it could even happen in time for South Africa 2010.

Asked if he thought the defender could yet earn a place in Capello's World Cup squad, Pulis said: "I still think he has a great chance, an outstanding chance if he keeps playing the way he is playing.

"Capello picks the team and he has enough experience without me telling him what he wants and what he doesn't want.

"But Stuart has been here a few times and he has been impressed with Ryan."