Stoke boss Tony Pulis feels his players are struggling with their busy fixture schedule. Samir Nasri is sent home from the France squad with a knee problem while Carlos Tevez may be in trouble again, after returning to Argentina without Man City’s permission:

Tony Pulis is planning a players’ meeting after admitting his squad have struggled to deal with Stoke’s fixture schedule. The Potters have already played twenty-one games this season and have lost each of their last four fixtures directly after a Europa League match- Sunday’s 5-0 hammering at Bolton raising the alarm bells in particular. Pulis spoke of his concerns:

We’ve travelled all over Europe and played in the Premier League and Carling Cup and it’s been an unbelievably difficult thing to manage. We’re learning all the time but we need to see if there are things we can do better. The travelling, the hotel arrangements, training schedules, everything. I’ve been fortunate enough to get some advice off some of the best managers in the Premier League, but you still have to find out everything yourself.

Samir Nasri has been ruled out of France’s upcoming internationals with a knee problem. The player apparently picked up the injury in last week’s Champions League game in Villarreal and was an unused sub at QPR last Saturday. He has now returned to the club ahead of the gameweek twelve home clash with Newcastle on the 19th of this month.

Spurs confirmed yesterday that Michael Dawson has undergone further surgery to assist his recovery from an Achilles problem. The centre-half hasn’t played since gameweek three and will be reviewed by a surgeon early next month, with no time as of yet being cited as a return date.

Man City have fined Kolo Toure six week’s wages after his failed drugs test, while Carlos Tevez has decided not to contest the club’s misconduct charge relating to the game at Bayern Munich last month. According to reports, Tevez is now expected back at training tomorrow, as City look to finally lay the drawn-out saga to rest. Reports today, however, suggest Tevez could be in further trouble after flying back to Argentina without the club’s permission. Just when we thought we’d heard the end of it, too…

Antolin Alcaraz has been banned for three matches after accepting a charge of spitting following last Sunday’s game at Wolves. The Paraguayan will now miss games against Blackburn, Sunderland and Arsenal and will not be available until the 10th December trip to West Brom. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan will back whatever punishment Roberto Martinez deems appropriate after admitting he’s appalled by the player’s actions:

Steven Pienaar has spoken of his frustration after appearing just once this season –in a Europa League game- for Tottenham. Due to injuries and the form of others, the South African has been a peripheral figure at White Hart Lane since moving from Everton in January but has accepted it may be quite some time before he manages to establish himself:

It’s depressing. The team is playing well and getting results, which is satisfying. But I will definitely get my chance. There are a lot of games this season and you just have to be patient. There’s no way the team will perform at this level for the whole season. You just have to wait. In January I signed a four-and-half-year contract. If it’s not working out this season I’ll just have to wait until next season. That’s part and parcel of football. You just have to keep on going and don’t give up.

After a full investigation, Sunderland have fined Titus Bramble the maximum amount permitted for his recent off-field indiscretions. After confirming the player’s drug test was all clear, the club released an official statement on the matter.