Pulis let down by Bangoura

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has slammed AWOL striker Sambegou Bangoura.

The Potters began their preparations for the new campaign more than three weeks ago but the Guinea international has still not returned from his summer break.

Pulis feels that his behaviour has been absolutely shameful, especially considering how well he is looked after by the club.

"You spend a million pounds on the fella - who's being paid well - and he hasn't even got the decency to turn up," he told The Sentinel.

"I can see him going missing for a couple of days, but three weeks is farcical."

Pulis also suggested that Bangoura's no-show was the perfect example of why he had not rushed into making any panic buys.

He is determined to build for the future, and if that means waiting for somebody reliable to become available, he is prepared to wait.

"I've had criticism for not signing foreign players before, but it's all about characters who will work and never let you down," he explained.

"I would just ask supporters to be patient. It's no good panicking by throwing enough mud at the wall that some of it sticks, that's just wasting money and going back to square one."