Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has claimed that the team will benefit from Jonathan Walters's current form after the forward helped Republic of Ireland qualify for next summer's European Championships.

The 32-year-old, who recently signed a new contract with the Potters, scored twice in Ireland's second-leg playoff against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which was enough to send the nation through to the tournament.

"He was obviously bounding into training today with a real spring in his step, along with all the other Irish guys," Hughes told reporters at today's press conference.

"We are delighted. It is no coincidence, Jon's form has been excellent. That spring in his step, that was also to do with him knowing where he is going to be for the next two or three years.

"That continuity that he knows he will have now, that enables him to perform at the right level. Ireland certainly benefited from that and I think we will benefit from that in the future."

Stoke will take on Southampton at St Mary's this weekend.