England foray helped Ryan, claims Pulis
STOKE manager Tony Pulis believes Ryan Shawcross’ involvement with England this week has helped him recover from the trauma of Aaron Ramsey’s horror injury.
Defender Shawcross saw red last Saturday after a strong but fair challenge on Ramsey left the Arsenal teenager with a broken leg.
Shawcross exited the field in tears after seeing the extent of Ramsey’s injury, but later received a first call-up from Fabio Capello to join the England squad to play Egypt on Wednesday night.
Potters chief Pulis was finally reunited with his centre back yesterday and admitted that his spell with the Three Lions had helped the 22-year-old get over the incident. “Ryan’s been away and he’s had a fantastic couple of days with England,” Pulis said.
“I’ve made sure I’ve spoken to him every day and he has been fine and the players have been fantastic. Steven Gerrard, apparently, has been exceptional and as the captain of the team has really looked after him. People like Wayne Rooney and David Beckham have been brilliant and I think Shawcross will be the first to say how much help he’s had from the players.
“Beckham has been very good with him, like they all have. It’s the first time he has been called up for England and I think they do it with most of the lads.
“They are human beings and they know he is new to the squad, irrespective of what happened on Saturday, and that he will need some help.”
Pulis also told how both he and Shawcross had been in contact with Ramsey since the incident, and received a positive response, but the Potters chief feels it’s time now to move on. “I don’t think it is an incident we want to bring up again,” he added. “We’ll take our medicine. It was an awkward challenge, not a dirty challenge and there was no vindictiveness. Well take our punishment and move on.”