Tony Pulis has indicated Stoke will appeal against Robert Huth's sending off in the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland - and suggested that play-acting by Black Cats midfielder David Meyler contributed to the German's dismissal.

Huth was shown a straight red card in the 45th minute at a wintry Britannia Stadium following his sliding challenge on Meyler.

Referee Martin Atkinson's decision to dismiss the defender left Pulis enraged and asked after the game if he planned to appeal, the Potters boss said: "We will see. I think we definitely will."

Pulis criticised Meyler's reaction to the tackle, which he believes is the sort of thing Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor needs to speak to players about.

"I have watched it twice now," Pulis said. "Robert has committed himself and then pulled out of the challenge, and he hasn't touched the kid at all.

"The disappointing thing for me is - and it has become more ingrained in the game - is the reaction of the player. It is something I think Gordon Taylor and the PFA should really get to grips with.

"The game is difficult enough for the referees because of the pace and tempo at which it is played. Then you get situations when players are falling around and rolling around when they have not even been touched.

"We don't want to take challenges out of the game - we want to be as competitive and fair as we possibly can. But it is creeping into the game, where players I think are going down now with the intention of getting other players booked or even sent off when they have not really been hurt.

"I think it is something we seriously have to look at. For me, when players do that, it is cheating another professional and they are all part of the same union.

"I find that a disease that we should stamp out as quickly as we possibly can."