A complaint by Stoke City manager Tony Pulis regarding comments made by referee Keith Stroud in the Town programme for the game between the Blues and Potters last month has led to a Football League investigation.

Pulis wrote to the League complaining that the Hampshire-based official had made reference to "a difference in the way the two sides play" in the match programme, which the Stoke boss said suggested that Stroud had a predetermined view of the two teams prior to the game.

Football League referees' chief David Allison wrote back to Pulis agreeing with him and will now look into the issue of officials giving pre-match interviews.

The Stoke manager welcomed Allison's response: "He was conscious of the fact the referee had possibly pre-judged a situation and should not have made the comment.

"I'm all for people having their say when it comes to football, but there are clearly certain areas a referee should steer clear of because it can make subsequent decisions, like the refusal of the penalty we should have had that day at Ipswich, all the harder to take."

Pulis was adamant that his side should have been awarded a spotkick late on in the 1-1 draw at Portman Road after striker Jon Parkin clashed with then-Town keeper Neil Alexander.

Town take on the table-topping Potters at the Britannia Stadium, where they have never won, on Saturday.

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