Stoke City boss Tony Pulis can see Chelsea captain John Terry going on to become an England World Cup hero this year.

Terry has been a target for the boo-boys since revelations he allegedly cheated on his wife with team-mate Wayne Bridge's ex-partner.

And Stoke fans are sure to target Terry tomorrow when the clubs meet in the FA Cup.

But Pulis points to David Beckham as the perfect example of someone vilified for his sending-off in the 1998 World Cup yet who is now a national icon.

Pulis said: "We're in a privileged position as managers and players at the top level.

"You have to accept that if you step out of line you'll get slapped.

"We have a great ability in this country to build up people, enjoy shooting them down and then build them back up again.

"If John has a great end of season with Chelsea and England win the World Cup, there will be a lot of people cheering.

"People love reading about what other people are doing. You only have to look at the soap operas on the telly.

"John is tough. Would you have thought that Beckham would have been strong to have got over it at his young age? You grow stronger."