Stoke City and Derby County played a friendly fixture at St. George’s Park earlier this week, as freezing temperatures left many training grounds unplayable.

Tony Pulis and Nigel Clough brought a mixture of first-team and youth players to the £105m national football centre, which has provided a number of clubs with training facilities this week.

Jermaine Pennant, Michael Owen and Wilson Palacios all had the opportunity for some match-practice on St.George’s Park’s elite Wembley replica pitch.

Stoke manager Pulis was pleased with the facilities and said: “With the weather this week, we decided to use the great facilities and we’ve been well looked after.

"It's been great to come here and I am really impressed with the facilities that they have got here.

"We’d definitely consider using the facility again if we can.”

On Monday, Bradford City used the 330-acre site ahead of their League Cup Semi-Final against Aston Villa and other clubs are due to use the site this week as temperatures continue to make training opportunities difficult.