Wilkinson conduct pleases Pulis

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has commended the attitude of Andy Wilkinson, claiming the Potters defender's reaction to a wild-looking challenge from Sunderland's Craig Gardner in Saturday's 0-0 draw at the Britannia Stadium epitomised "the spirit of the game".

Wilkinson was sent flying by a tackle in the 84th minute from Black Cats midfielder Gardner, who got nowhere near the ball and was booked for his trouble. Having picked himself up off the turf, the Stoke man appeared to accept his opponent's apology with some form of a handshake.

And Pulis, who has been calling in recent weeks for more action to be taken against diving, said: "I thought Andy Wilkinson's reaction to the challenge with Gardner in the second half was absolutely fantastic. The crowd have gone up and it looks a bad challenge from where we are. Whether it was I'm not sure, but he certainly caught Wilko."

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