Stoke boss Tony Pulis insists he bears no grudges after England goalkeeper Scott Carson turned him down to join Albion.

Pulis agreed a £3.25million fee to take Carson from Liverpool in the summer but the news was leaked to the media first, with the former Aston Villa loanee eventually choosing the Hawthorns instead.

The 23-year-old, who was partly at fault for Germany’s equalising goal in England’s 2-1 victory in Berlin yesterday, is certain to receive a red-hot reception when he steps into the cauldron of the Britannia Stadium.

Pulis said: “Scott never played for us and that’s history now. He had the opportunity to join us and he’s gone to West Brom. That was his choice.

“Sometimes you miss out on something and then get something better. We signed Thomas Sorensen and we’ve been delighted with him.”

Welshman Pulis missed Carson’s midweek gaffe as he watched his countrymen win 1-0 in Denmark, who had Sorensen between the sticks.

He added: “I haven’t seen a kick of the England game so I can’t comment. As I say, Scott Carson plays for West Brom and not us.”