Stoke boss Tony Pulis has described Bolton counterpart Gary Megson as "a quality guy". Pulis played a part in getting Megson the manager's position at Bolton, after tempting him back into the game with a coaching job at Stoke two years ago.

Pulis joked: "Meggy didn't buy a drink the whole time he was here, but he should now have enough money to put his hand in his pocket.

"Seriously though, I've got a lot of respect for him. He's a genuine and honest lad and has a nice family. He is down to earth and has good values.

"Sometimes managers get pigeonholed because of how they come over in the media, but anyone who really knows him will tell you he's a quality guy.

"There are other managers who come over as nice people when they are anything but, and that annoys me. It's all about perceptions and perceptions can be wrong a lot of the time."