REBELS? I STILL HAVE A CAUSE

Lambert: I back my decision 100% to ditch Jese and Berahino.. we’ve got to get the men in who want to fight for this club

PAUL LAMBERT is standing by his decision to exile forward duo Jese and Saido Berahino – despite Stoke facing almost certain relegation.

Jese has gone AWOL in his native Spain – with Stoke looking to rip up his contract – while Berahino has been ordered to train with the Under-23s after attitude and timekeeping issues.

Stoke, currently four points from safety, with three games left, go to Liverpool tomorrow needing a first win at Anfield since 1959 to have any realistic chance of staying up.

Despite Stoke’s precarious position, Lambert is refusing to bring Jese and Berahino back into the fold, insisting the pair will not be part of his first-team plans for the rest of the season.

With Berahino having failed to score in more than two years, his continued absence is hardly a blow.

But Lambert feels he must send out the right message as he tries to save Stoke from what appears to be the inevitable drop.

Asked whether he stood by his decision on both players, the Scotsman replied: “One hundred per cent.

“I have got no qualms whatsoever. It’s my decision and it is right for the football club. That’s the decision I have made.”

He will remain in charge at Stoke, irrespective of their fate this season, and admitted the club have drawn up summer rebuild plans for both scenarios – survival or the drop into the Championship.

“We spoke about it a couple of weeks ago – Plan A and Plan B – as you would expect,” said Lambert.

“We have to get guys in here that want to play for the club, first and foremost, who want to be here and want to work and do the right things. That’s paramount for us.

“I’m glad to have the chance to rebuild the club, whatever league we are in. It’s nice to hear.

“I get on well with everybody here, but I also know it’s a big job.”

Lambert admitted his team need to win at least two of their remaining three games to have any chance of staying in the Premier League.

But the likelihood is that they will have to win all three to avoid the drop.

The Stoke boss will be encouraged by his personal record at Anfield – having never lost there as a manager – with three wins and two draws to his name.

“We definitely have to win two of our games,” added Lambert.

“Even then, we’ll have to look at other results – so all we can do is try our best to win our remaining games.”

I CALL THE SHOTS Lambert has banished Berahino and Jese, and says he wants men who fight for the club