Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has heaped praise on Cameron Jerome and insisted that he never wanted to let the striker leave during the January transfer window.

The former Birmingham City forward has failed to nail down a starting place with the Potters but has come off the bench to score vital goals on a number of occasions.

Despite being linked with a move away last month, Pulis is adamant that he always wanted to keep hold of the 26-year-old.

"Cameron has been exceptional. His attitude has been first class," Pulis told the Daily Express. "We didn't have any enquiries and I wouldn't have accepted it anyway because I think he's an important part of the group and the team. He can score all sorts of goals, he has pace and power.

"When the game opens up in the last quarter of an hour, he's a great player to bring off the bench. He's a game changer without a doubt.

"But he's still moaning and groaning because he reckons he should be playing all the time. I'd be really disappointed if he wasn't moaning and groaning."

Stoke host West Ham United on Saturday.