Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross says there can be no excuses for Ricardo Fuller after he was sent-off against West Ham for slapping skipper Andy Griffin.

"You cannot do that in football. It was unacceptable. If you do that to another player, you will be sent off," he said.

"He's a top lad and his frustration got the better of him.

"But every team bounces back from controversy. It may even help us in the long run because we have to look for the positives."