Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has talked up a potential permanent deal for Bruno Martins Indi, who is currently on loan at the Britannia Stadium from Porto.

Martins Indi initially struggled after moving to the Premier League in the summer, but the Dutch international has impressed at the heart of the Stoke defence in recent weeks.

Hughes has said that the Potters have been "really impressed" with the 24-year-old and will consider turning the loan move into a permanent transfer if his form remains at a high level.

"We've been really impressed with Bruno. Not only his technical ability, but the way he's forging a relationship with Ryan [Shawcross] has certainly helped in recent results and performances," the Stoke Sentinel quotes Hughes as saying. "It's no coincidence that we seem to have a pairing that looks comfortable together and long may that continue.

"I think we like Bruno as a guy as well. He's got a really infectious personality and is really liked within the group, which is always a bonus. We are pleased with how it's progressing and at some point in the future we are sure to see if we can speak about maybe making this loan something more permanent.

"That's where we feel it's going to go if he continues to play as well as he has and has the impact he's having at the moment. If he continues in the same vain, it's certainly something we will look to make more permanent."

Martins Indi, who joined Porto from Feyenoord in the summer of 2014, has made nine appearances for Stoke this season.