​JERMAINE Pennant can’t wait to re-acquaint himself with Stoke’s “abusive” fans following his four-month loan move from Real Zaragoza.

And the 27-year-old former Arsenal, Liverpool and Birmingham winger is happy to consider a long-term move to the Potteries if all goes well between now and January.

Pennant, fresh from his first full training session at Stoke and speaking for the first time since Tuesday’s transfer, said: “Every time I played at Stoke they were a very difficult team and I got used to getting abuse.

“But hopefully this time it will be the other way round and I can get the applause.

“But it’s all part of the game and sometimes you enjoy it and it drives you on to do better.

“I’m sure now that I’m a Stoke player they’ll be behind me all the way.

“I’m here to do a job at Stoke and after the four months, if the clubs agree something, I’m not saying ‘no’.

“I’m not saying it’s just a loan deal and if all goes well, we see what happens.”

Pennant admits the move to Stoke came as a surprise on deadline day when the wheels suddenly swung into motion.

“My agent always told me Stoke were always interested and tried to sign me last season.

“But it was literally on the last day.

“In mid-afternoon I got a call saying that the deal was in place if I wanted to go. I signed the papers at half-past six (Spanish time), so there was half-an-hour to get the fax to the Football Association.”

Pennant, who moved to Spain 12 months ago, added: “I enjoyed my time in Spain, but unfortunately the manager who brought me over got the sack and the new manager wanted to be more defensive.

“It was difficult for me to get into his plans and not speaking the language made it difficult.

“It’s nice to come back, have a team meeting and know what’s being said and know what instructions I have, rather than looking to the sky wondering what he’s saying.

“The gaffer here has given me a good talking to and made it clear what he expects – to play with passion and fit in with everybody else.”

Pennant, who insists he is fit after a pre-season with Zaragoza, said he had seen on TV that Eidur Gudjohnsen, pictured left, had flown in to sign for Stoke on deadline day – but hadn’t realised then he was about to join him.

“We’re looking very strong and this is probably the best Stoke City team the Premier League has ever seen,” said Pennant.

“Every footballer has ambitions to play for England and if I did well in the Premier League, we’ll see.

“I’ve never crossed it out and said I’m never going to be picked and that I’m not good enough.”

What are your thoughts on Pennant’s loan signing? Have your say...

* STOKE manager Tony Pulis has declined to comment on the FA’s decision not to charge Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger following his controversial comments about City defenders Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth.

Wenger, lamenting the lack of protection being given to players in today’s game, had said: “It is more rugby on the goalkeepers than football. When you see the way Shawcross kicked Heurelho Gomes, how Robert Huth pushed Gomes in the goal, you cannot say that is football anymore.”

Pulis had earlier hinted that Wenger’s comments were aimed at pressurising referee Chris Hoy as he had reffed the Stoke v Tottenham match and was about to ref Arsenal’s fixture at Blackburn.