Stoke V Crystal Palace at Britannia Stadium: LIVE

19 December 2015 10:01
Stoke V Crystal Palace - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

Bojan Krkic has confidence in Stoke - Mark Hughes

Stoke manager Mark Hughes does not fear losing Bojan Krkic next month because he believes the forward has finally found happiness in the Potteries.

The 25-year-old's name has started to crop up in transfer speculation stories ahead of the January transfer window after a string of impressive performances since his return to fitness in September.

However, Hughes insists the fact Bojan has sampled life at European giants Barcelona, Roma and AC Milan - and failed to establish himself with those sides - will make him less likely to jump ship if a bigger club come calling.

The Spaniard declared himself "very happy" in an interview with The Sentinel earlier this week and Hughes thinks that has contributed towards his fine form.

"It's a couple of weeks before the bonkers season; we're very near to January so these stories start to raise their head," the Welshman said of transfer rumours.

"It doesn't surprise me, I don't think it's with any foundation. Bojan is an exceptional talent. Is there going to be interest? Possibly. But we wouldn't encourage it.

"If you look at what Bojan has said this week to other media outlets, he's said he's very, very happy here. A big part of why he's doing well is the confidence that he has in the club, the team, the people around him.

"That allows him to perform and he's been to other clubs, big clubs in Europe, he's done that and didn't quite find what he's found here. He's quite happy at the moment so I don't think he's agitating for a move in January certainly."

While Bojan's immediate future in Staffordshire looks assured, the Potters are also working on deals to tie down Marko Arnautovic and Erik Pieters for the long term.

"The fact that talks have started, I'm pleased with that," Hughes added.

"I want the two boys to be here for a significant length of time. It's important. They are key players in terms of what we're trying to do here, so it would be good to get them signed up again."

The Potters play Crystal Palace on Saturday and Arnautovic and Bojan could once again form two thirds of the attacking trio that dismantled title-chasing Manchester City in Stoke's last home game.

Xherdan Shaqiri, whose man-of-the-match performance against City drew plaudits, was the missing piece against West Ham in a 0-0 draw last weekend, but his possible return from a hamstring injury could allow Hughes to utilise his three-pronged attack once more.

Midfielder Geoff Cameron will be missing because of a hamstring strain, though, and Phil Bardsley and Stephen Ireland are both doubts because of back and hamstring ailments.

Alan Pardew does not believe he could have enjoyed a better 12 months in charge of Crystal Palace.

Pardew, the former Newcastle boss, is closing in on his one-year managerial anniversary at Selhurst Park after he was unveiled by chairman Steve Parish on January 2.

On his arrival, Palace looked destined for relegation, but Pardew guided them to an impressive 10th in the table.

They have since landed the marque signing of Yohan Cabaye from Paris St Germain, and with 16 games of the current campaign gone, they are just three points away from a top-four spot.

"I don't think it could have gone much better really," said Pardew reflecting on his period in charge. "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I've enjoyed working with Steve Parish in particular.

"It's given me more power in the transfer market to try to build the team around the vision that I have and I hope that continues.

"We just want to really push on in this second half of the season and if we can match the first half, I would be delighted."

Palace head into their Barclays Premier League clash at Stoke on Saturday with the imminent investment of B#100million from American businessmen Joshua Harris and David Blitzer who are set to purchase a controlling stake in the club.

The deal will see the duo, who already own the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL's New Jersey Devils, hold an equal 18 per cent share in Palace with Parish, who will remain as chairman.

But Pardew does not expect to be splashing the cash on new players when the transfer window re-opens next month.

"I don't see too much investment in January," Pardew said. "I am quite happy with the squad. I think we probably have a little surplus that might need trimming and we have got one or two that might go out on loan or we might move on.

"Maybe we would look at bringing in a body depending on who we lost, but we certainly don't want to lose any of our key players because our key players are really driving the club forward."

Source: PAR