Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has suggested that he expects to remain in charge of the Potters over the Christmas period.

With the club having lost five of their last six games in the Premier League, it has been reported that Hughes will be sacked should they lose their crucial clash with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

However, Hughes has played down speculation over his future, insisting that the club's hierarchy continue to believe that he is the right man for the job.

The 54-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I don't think that is where we are at. A lot of comments come from people who have not watched our games - they are picking up hearsay and embellishing it.

"You guys in the media set timelines on it but that is not what is happening in the corridors here in my view."

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has admitted that he has concerns over the club's league position, with the Staffordshire-based outfit sitting just one point above the relegation zone.