Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has expressed hope that the club can secure a work permit for United States international striker Juan Agudelo during the summer.

The 21-year-old was signed by Stoke from MLS club New England Revolution, but he was loaned out to FC Utrecht after being denied a permit.

"He seems quite content. Utrecht is a good club, a good set-up and I'm very impressed with their home ground, so it's a good stage to ply his trade on," Hughes told The Sentinel.

"He and I were both talking about the work permit and we are desperate to sort it out. I hope he is able to get one this time. That's what he is focused on.

"We took him for three and four weeks and have an understanding of what he can offer, and I've seen him now in a league environment and done well. We feel we have a case, but we also felt we had one last time."

Agudelo has scored two goals in 12 appearances for Utrecht.