Striker gets boss backing

Stoke boss Tony Pulis says he will keep faith with Jon Walters despite the striker's poor strike rate this season.

Walters was guilty of missing a host of good chances as Stoke slipped to a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday and the striker has not hit the back of the net since November.
Such form would normally lead to the axe but Pulis is delighted with the player's all round displays and will stick with him in the hope he will soon come through the sticky patch.
"Jon could have had a hat-trick - and not a very difficult hat-trick," said Pulis. "I'm not picking on him because he's done fantastic for us and kept going.
"The best thing about him is that he will never stop getting into positions. His attitude and strength of character is fantastic and that's why we pick him every week."