Pieters was punished for breaking curfew

The Stoke City defender was supposed to have started in the match against Everton, however manager Paul Lambert instead selected Kosta Stafylidis.

It is thought that Lambert discovered that the 29-year-old had been at a nightclub with his wife on Friday evening ahead of the match. Despite no evidence to suggest that Pieters was drinking alcohol, he was dropped from the starting XI.

Lambert has a club-wide rule that no player is permitted to attend an event where alcohol is served in the 48 hours leading up to a match. 

The 'Potters' have not won a Premier League match since 20th January and are currently sitting in 19th position in the league. They will next face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 1st April.