Beattie's ‘liar’ jibe sparked bust-up with Stoke boss Pulis

James Beattie will lose out in his row with boss Tony Pulis - after calling the Stoke manager “a liar”.

Striker Beattie and his manager squared up after the defeat at Arsenal in a dispute over their Christmas party and this week’s training schedule.

Beattie, in his role as unofficial dressing-room social secretary, had told the players they were being allowed two nights in London and would not have to return to training until Tuesday.

But after Pulis insisted they were due in on Monday, Beattie walked from one side of the dressing room to another and said to the players: "Just to let you know, the manager's a liar."

It was that remark which infuriated Pulis and prompted his reaction as he claimed that the players were always due back in for training on Monday.

One player, who would not be named, said: "The manager had handed out printed sheets for this week's programme and Monday was on there.

“Beattie was infuriated, came into another part of the dressing room where he didn’t think the manager could hear him, and made a remark.

“But the manager had just got out of the shower, heard what was said and it went off."

The spat is just the latest in a simmering problem behind the scenes, with hitman Beattie looking for a new contract while Pulis chops and changes him from his side.

But Pulis is so strongly supported by the club's heirarchy that they will not chastise him. The strong-minded Welshman did have a shoving match with Beattie, but sources close to him deny he butted the player.

Beattie was a big hit when Pulis signed him from Sheffield United last January, scoring the goals that kept the Potters in the Premier League. But since then relations have soured.

The much-travelled forward wants a longer deal, with his current one due to expire in 18 months, but Stoke have been reluctant to give him that new contract - and this row will only make matters worse.

Beattie, who was at training yesterday and doing gym work, could even be sold next month when the window opens while Pulis will not face internal action for the clash.

Stoke will review the row but are unlikely to punish anyone for the incident. Both the manager and striker showed no signs of physical damage yesterday.

It is not the first time that Stoke have had to deal with internal problems within their squad. Ricardo Fuller slapped former skipper Andy Griffin in the defeat at West Ham last season.

However Fuller was back in favour after a suspension and is a key part of the team - ironically keeping Beattie out on many occasions - and the flashpoint was even seen by many as a turning point in their last survival fight.

James Beattie was either brave or mind-blowingly foolish to take on Tony Pulis - Martin Lipton

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