Tony Pulis stands by Peter Crouch after England snub

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has urged striker Peter Crouch to keep up his game, despite being snubbed again from the England squad.

There was no place for the 31-year-old in Roy Hodgson's squad to face San Marino and Poland in their 2014 World Cup qualifiers this month.

"I spoke to Peter about [not getting an England call-up] and said the best thing Peter can do is keep doing what he is doing," Sky Sports News quotes Pulis as saying.

"He's played exceptionally well last year and he's started this season on fire. He's been our best player probably over the games we have played and his goal tally is very, very good and we're very pleased with him.

"We've been a bit disappointed that one or two [Stoke players] over the last two years haven't got that reputation.

Meanwhile, Potters defender Ryan Shawcross has been called up to replace retired centre-back John Terry.