Stoke City chairman Peter Coates insists there's no commitment over a permanent deal for Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi.

"It is my understanding that the deal was never binding in the first place," Coates told the Sentinel.

"I am not aware of this development being reported, but from our point of view, whether we still want him or not is clearly a footballing decision for the manager (Tony Pulis) to make."