Stoke City boss Tony Pulis says his omission of captain Abdoulaye Faye for their draw with Blackburn Rovers is proof he doesn't play favourites.

Insisting there were no favourites, Pulis stressed to The Sentinel: "I don't see it any other way. It's not personal and never will be as far as I'm concerned.

"It's not about individual players and maybe I showed that today. One or two people might think I've got my favourites, but if it's right for the team then I will make the changes necessary.

"It's not about what players I like or don't like. If I don't like them, they don't stay at the club very long.

"At Arsenal next week, I've got it in mind already to change one or two things and will pick a different team again because you pick teams to get results. You just hope people don't get frustrated with the changes.

"It's good to have people on the bench who can change games because games are tight in the Premier League."