Fuller was red-carded during the defeat at West Ham on Sunday after slapping his captain Andy Griffin.

Coates is due to meet City manager Tony Pulis to discuss what disciplinary action to take against the Jamaican when the players return to training tomorrow.

Fuller faces disciplinary action by the club - who are involved in a relegation battle - on top of his three-match suspension.

Coates told the Sentinel: "I will talk to the manager when he gets back but it is an internal matter.

"He is a very important player for Stoke and will be important for the second half of the season. But it is our affair and we will deal with it in our own way.

"We can recover from this. The team spirit at Stoke is good and will remain good.

"I am disappointed that it happened. It influenced the game and we could have got something out of the game. People have to learn to control themselves."