Shawcross aims to close ranks at Stoke

The Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross believes Ricardo Fuller's on-field fight with the captain Andy Griffin could have a galvanising effect on the squad. Fuller was sent off for fighting with Griffin during Sunday's 2-1 defeat at West Ham. The striker is likely to be fined the maximum two weeks' wages by the Stoke manager, Tony Pulis, who said he planned to get both players together to draw a line under the incident.

However, Fuller will serve a statutory three-match ban for a red card issued for violent conduct because the Football Association does not plan to take further action. Shawcross said: "It was unacceptable. If you do that to another player, you will be sent off," he said. "His frustration got the better of him. But every team bounces back from controversy. It may even help us in the long run because we have to look for the positives."

Stoke have now not won in six league matches and have dropped into the relegation zone.