Pennant US tour delay due to Criminal Record

Stoke midfielder Jermaine Pennant has not travelled with the Stoke squad to America on their tour of the US.

The winger is waiting to be granted a working visa by the US embassy.

The hold up for the 29-year old is because he was given an 8 week jail term, suspended for a year, which saw him play wearing an electronic tag in 2004 and he has also been given a three-year drink driving ban in May.

Under US law, Pennant must wait for his application to be accepted before he flies out to join the rest of his teammates who are in Columbus, in preparation of their US tour which will see them play Columbus Crew, Sporting Kanas City and there sister club Orlando City.

If the winger`s application is granted, he will fly out to America on his own, but for the time being the former England under-21 international is training with Stoke`s youth side.

Former Newcastle pair Joey Barton and Nile Ranger was barred from travelling with the Magpies in 2011 because of their criminal records.