STOKE CITY have confirmed there will be a change of approach to reserve team football in the forthcoming 2010/11 campaign in order to gain greater control over their squad of players.

Manager Tony Pulis has indicated his desire to play a series of matches against other clubs who have already pulled out of reserve leagues rather than commit to a fixture programme that they would have in the Barclays Premier Reserve League.

City were forced to rearrange a number of their games in the Barclays Premier Reserve League South last season and in one instance made the trip south to take on Chelsea on the same night that they were also in Barclays Premier League action at Burnley.

Consequently, the Potters have fielded many of their youth team players in recent fixtures, as they did in the final game of the season against Fulham in April.

Pulis believes the potential move could benefit the planning of the first team squad's preparations for matches in the Barclays Premier League or cup competitions.

"This will give us more control over our players," he said. "It is important that we have the group training together and having days off at the same time.

"We have already spoken to a number of clubs who are prepared to come and play us, and these games will be just as competitive as League matches."

He added: "What we want to do is play our reserve matches on a Tuesday afternoon at the training ground which supporters will be able to come and watch."