The Hawthorns

Next Game

West Brom v Man Utd

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Old Trafford

Last Game

Man Utd 2 - 1 Swansea

Sunday, 12 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Pulis rules out Begovic sale

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has no intention of letting goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, or any of his other key players, leave in January.

Last Updated: 06/12/12 at 12:04 Post Comment   

Asmir Begovic: Going nowhere in January

Asmir Begovic: Going nowhere in January

Reports have suggested that Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in the Bosnia international, who as an ever-present for the Potters in their 15 Premier League games this term has conceded only 12 goals and kept seven clean sheets.

Begovic was quoted earlier this week as saying he is happy to stay at Stoke and on Thursday morning Pulis, speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Aston Villa, stressed his determination to keep hold of all his star men for the rest of the season.

Asked about the speculation linking Begovic with a move, Pulis said: "If a big club comes in for any of our players, then it is very difficult to say 'no, we are not going to do it.'

"You can talk as much as you want, though - one thing I will say is that it is a big year for us this year and we will not be selling any of our better players in the January window, and that is full stop.

"It is a massive year for every club in the Premier League and this football club realises and recognises that.

"You hope you get interest because it shows the player is playing really well.

"But there will be no sales. We will be looking to bring one or two in, but there will be no sales of any of the big players at this football club during the window."

Begovic had been quoted as saying: "As far as I know it's all speculation. It's always nice when the biggest teams in the world are looking at you.

"It's a compliment, but it doesn't mean anything.

"We keep our feet on the ground here and the manager wouldn't let that change.

"I have three-and-a-half years on my contract and I am concentrating on playing and staying in the team and trying to help the team be successful.

"I am happy here so there are no issues with that."

The 25-year-old joined Stoke from Portsmouth in 2010.

Meanwhile, Pulis is hopeful that striker Peter Crouch will be able to return to action against Villa.

Crouch, who missed last weekend's 1-0 victory at West Brom after losing some teeth in a collision with Newcastle's Fabricio Coloccini in the previous match, has had a mouth guard fitted and will be monitored in training ahead of the clash at Villa Park.

"He had a guard fitted yesterday down in London, he will try it today and we will see how he goes," Pulis said.

"We are hoping he will be okay and that that will be enough protection for him to be able to play on Saturday."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

Rooney to miss West Brom game

Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's final game of the season at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Redknapp admits testing times

Harry Redknapp admits his Queens Park Rangers reign has been one of the most turbulent of his career.

Hodgson makes England plea

Roy Hodgson is urging English football not to lose sight of the importance of international combat.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved