Club News

WHAT DID HE SAY? Mark Hughes

Stoke boss previews Albion clash

MARK Hughes faced the press this morning ahead of Stoke's clash with Albion at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday (ko 3pm). Here’s what he had to say.

On his side’s start to the season:

“If you look at all clubs in the Premier League, the vast majority will go through tough periods, but because it has happened here early on people may think we will struggle this year - we don't think that.

“There is a bit of noise behind us because we haven't won, but if we win tomorrow then we’ll have made a better start than we did last year, and we went on to finish ninth.”

On Tony Pulis’ 1,000th game:

“He's a manager, like we all are, and will be hoping his team can come here and beat a very good team. Whether there is a special resonance to him, maybe you would have to ask him that. I think he will be approaching it like any other match.”

On Albion and Salomon Rondon:

“West Brom set up to be solid. Rondon is a good player. He has good pace, good energy and he can affect games. I’ve been impressed by him since he arrived in the country.”


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On injuries

"Jon Walters missed Wednesday because of an issue with his ankle. He got through the session yesterday, even though we had to strap him up. He is a doubt for tomorrow. Bojan was just given a rest on Wednesday and is back in contention tomorrow.

"Xherdan trained again yesterday and we will check on him today. He has had a soft tissue muscle injury, but if he feels confident and we feel that he won't be compromised by it then we will go with him. Apart from that we have a pretty much clean bill of health.