Stoke midfielder Jermaine Pennant denies rift rumours with manager Tony Pulis

The midfielder has been left out of the two previous Premier League squads and only started from the bench against Besiktas but denies any rift claims he is happy at the club

16 Dec 2011 00:07:00

By Michael Lightfoot

More On :  Stoke City, Jermaine Pennant, Tony Pulis
Carling Cup - Stoke City vs Tottenham , Tommy Carroll and Jermaine Pennant
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Stoke midfielder Jermaine Pennant has denied reports that there is bad blood between himself and manager Tony Pulis.

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The winger hasn't been part of the squad for the past two Premier League games but made the trip to Turkey to play Besiktas.

He found himself on the bench for that match but came on as an enforced substitute after Andy Wilkinson's first half injury.

After the game he denied that there was a rift by insisting he was happy at the club and that he was looking at breaking back in the side.

He told reporters: "The manager made 11 changes but I got on, that's good enough for me.

"He is keeping with his winning team. If the record isn't broken then you don't change it. We have won the last two (league) games so he is keeping that team. He's the manager.

"If I keep working hard and the team keeps winning, and I'm not playing, then I'm as happy playing as not. It's not all about individuals, it is about the team.

"I'm happy. There are no bad feelings so everything is fine."

Stoke surrendered top spot in their Europa League group after losing 3-1 to Besiktas, their first European defeat of the season but they had already been assured of a place in the next round.

Pennant added: "The main thing was to get through. Also, some of the players hadn't played in Europe before so it was good for them to come and enjoy it and soak up the atmosphere. I think we did that!

"The result took a bit of gloss off it but we are still through. Hopefully we'll get a nice draw now."

The winger will now hope he has earned the chance to get back into the squad for the Premier League, with Saturday's game against Wolves an important one as they look to extend the gap between eighth and the rest of the league.

He added: "It's another big game. I am sure the players who were rested back home will be preparing well for it."

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