Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes that the Football Association should help English clubs with fixture scheduling.

The Potters boss was left perplexed after it was announced that his side would face away matches after each of their Europa League group stage fixtures this season.

"I think there should be a chance for clubs, if they are in Europe, to sit down with the Premier League, the Football Association and the television companies and arrange the fixtures in a way that will help those clubs," said Pulis.

"If we are representing England, you'd expect the English FA to do their damnedest to give you the best opportunity to do well, not only domestically, but in Europe.

"We know the dates that are given by UEFA early enough, so is there any chance we can work to a system where we are not playing six away games [after each of their Europa League group matches]?"

Stoke face Turkish club Besiktas at the Britannia on Thursday before a visit to Swansea City in the Premier League on Sunday.