Pennant joins Maradona on America's Black List as the Stoke man is denied entry into US Soil

First it was Maradona just last week (HERE), Yesterday it was Jermain Pennant's turn to be refused entry into the Land of opportunities.

The former Arsenal bad boy did not join the potters for their flight to America yesterday afternoon. Stoke were informed that an application to travel for the tour was highly unlikely to be granted while the club were also told they had to provide evidence that Pennant was a reformed character, due to strict US government rules.

The 30-year-old was disqualified from driving for three years last May after a drink-driving offence and Stoke were required to display proof he had undergone some form of rehabilitation. 

This would have involved a lengthy process so Stoke, who are fully supportive of the former England under 21, have decided he will stay in England to train with the under-21s.

Hughes’s squad are scheduled to play Houston Dynamo tomorrow, before further games on their trip against FC Dallas and Philadelphia Union.