Stoke City boss Tony Pulis will stand by striker Vincent Pericard after he was jailed for four months last week.

The former Juventus and Portsmouth man was handed a four-month sentence on Friday for perverting the course of justice but while Pulis says the club cannot condone his actions, he is adamant that they will do all they can to help him.

"We stand behind Vincent," he told the club's official website. "We can't condone what he has done, but he is not a nasty or bad person.

"He has been very naive and made a mistake, which we have all done at some point.

"Everyone associated with the football club is disappointed with what has happened, but we will all be standing right behind him.

"When he does come out, we will make sure we help him adjust to life back outside and will do everything we can for him."