James Beattie's future at Stoke City has been thrown into serious doubt amid reports that he came to blows with manager Tony Pulis during an amazing bust-up after the Arsenal game on Saturday.

The two men are understood to have come to blows in the dressing at the Emirates Stadium when Pulis informed his players that he wanted them in for training 'on Monday' after watching their 2-0 defeat to the Gunners.

Beattie is then said to have reminded his gaffer that they were holding their Christmas party in London on Sunday evening and that he had given them Monday off.

When Pulis refused to back down, Beattie protested and, to the astonishment of the Potters dressing room, the manager suddenly confronted the 31-year-old - allegedly trying to headbutt the hitman.

The report continues that Beattie, who arrived at the Britannia Stadium back in January in a £3.5million deal, has been left so furious and upset with the incident he is now seriously considering his future at the club.

Stoke are to conduct an internal investigation into the alleged incident, while Beattie was not in attendance with his team-mates as they reported to training on Monday, as he continued his rehabilitation from a niggling ankle injury in the gym.