Stoke City manager Mark Hughes spoke to the media ahead of his side's trip to the north-east to play Newcastle United on Saturday in the Premier League.

Hughes spoke about the Capital One Cup, injuries, Jonathan Walters and Saturday's opponents.

Mark Hughes is dreaming of Wembley

The Stoke boss saw his side progress through to the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup after they beat last year's winners, Chelsea on penalties on Tuesday night.

Hughes now has his eyes set on a Wembley final in the League Cup and, with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all being knocked out of the competition this week, the Stoke boss said that it gives his side a "better chance to progress" to the final.

However, he is not taking Sheffield Wednesday for granted despite the Yorkshire side being in a lower division than Stoke, especially after the Championship side's performance against Arsenal on Tuesday. 

Hughes said that after seeing the highlights of the Arsenal match on Tuesday, there is "no chance" that Stoke will "under-estimate" Sheffield Wednesday when the two sides meet on Tuesday 1 December.

Injury update

Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross made his first appearance of the season in the tie against Chelsea following back surgery and it seems it is perfect timing, with Hughes announcing more injury woes.

Hughes confirmed that defender Marc Muniesa is facing at least a month on the sidelines after suffering a "serious" hamstring injury on Tuesday, which saw the Spanish defender having to be substituted five minutes into the second-half.

Geoff Cameron will also be absent against Newcastle on Saturday as he continues his recover from injury, but Hughes said that "all being well he will be back in the equation for the game against Chelsea".

However, the Stoke boss expects Glen Johnson and Bojan to be available on Saturday, after both missed the Chelsea match.

Hughes worried about losing Walters

Hughes also admitted that Stoke were in "danger" of losing Jonathan Walters.

The midfielder is yet to agree a new deal at the club with his current contract expiring next summer, but was hopeful that Walters and the club would come to a "satisfactory conclusion".

Hughes' view on the opposition

Stoke travel to St. James' Park on Saturday, with Newcastle having won only one Premier League match this season. However, Hughes said that Newcastle head coach, Steve McClaren, needs time, especially considering the Magpies' "significant" summer investment.

The Stoke boss said that "it takes a little bit of time" for new players "to integrate", however Hughes added that it is a results game and Newcastle "will be looking to get wins under their belt."

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About the author
Adam Bailey
Everton editor, who also covers cycling and athletics.