Pulis's side take on Burnley in the opening match of the season

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has described the latest round of international matches as "ridiculous".

Pulis has long been a critic of the international fixture schedule, and has urged other managers to speak out too.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "Before the season starts, they take the players away for a week. It's ridiculous.

"It's no good Tony Pulis saying it, who's Tony Pulis at Stoke City? The big boys are going to have to start doing something about it."

He added: "I've got no problem with players playing in competitive matches.

"But if they want friendly matches, let them pay their wages and cover their insurance costs, and then let's see how many friendly matches are played then."

In addition there are five World Cup qualifiers taking place on Wednesday meaning Pulis will be deprived of several players in the lead-up to the Potters' first game of the Premier League season, against Burnley at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

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