Pulis: More than just goals to Crouch game

STOKE boss Tony Pulis was keen to praise Peter Crouch’s contribution in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Fulham, despite the striker’s failure to get on the scoresheet.

Crouch twice squandered opportunities in the first-half, scuffing an attempted volley from Jermaine Pennant’s cross and then seeing his shot blocked when the ball broke to him in the box six minutes later.

The 30-year-old, who has not played for England in almost a year, had been quoted earlier in the week as saying that he did not “carry much hope” in terms of his future international prospects, even though Wayne Rooney will be suspended for the start of Euro 2012.