Shawcross link puzzles Pulis

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has dismissed Spurs' link with Ryan Shawcross and confirmed there are no doors closed for out-of-favour players.

Shawcross was touted for a switch to White Hart Lane earlier in the week with Didier Zokora included in a possible deal, although the Ivorian has now moved to Sevilla instead.

But Pulis feels the speculation was just paper talk and has also insisted players who fell down the pecking order last season will get a chance.

He told the Sentinel: "No one has rung me up. I get on well with Harry (Redknapp) and I would be very surprised if it is in the papers and he hasn't rung me first."

On the futures of Andy Griffin and Dave Kitson, he added: "They are in the same situation as Michael Tonge, Leon Cort or Ibrahima Sonko.

"I brought all these players to the club so there are no problems with me. We used an enormous amount of players last year to get the points we needed and will have to do exactly the same this year.

"They will play a part. It is important they get their heads down and just work hard. There are no doors closed."