West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke defended his players after defeat to Stoke City.

Clarke has not fielded the same team in consecutive matches this season.

For that reason, he was not going to point fingers at the final whistle following six changes from the XI that lost to Swansea City.

"The changes were made to freshen things up," he said, "I can't keep saying I've got a good squad then pick the same players every week.

"I'd be a liar if that happened. I can't tell the players that I trust them the same and then not do it. It was a week to use the squad. And that's what I did."