Stoke boss Mark Hughes distances himself from Everton speculation
Stoke manager Mark Hughes has distanced himself from suggestions that he is being lined up for the Everton job.
Roberto Martinez's position at Goodison Park appears precarious following a season of underachievement, highlighted by supporter dissatisfaction in recent weeks.
Fans have held banners calling for the Spaniard to go and backed Leighton Baines after the left-back was forced to apologise for saying Everton lacked 'chemistry'.
Hughes, who had a brief spell as a player at Everton towards the end of his career, has been linked with succeeding Martinez but Stoke have indicated that they would not welcome an approach.
He said: "It's just speculation and I don't encourage that. Certainly not when someone is in the position."
Asked if it was still flattering that his name was being linked with other jobs, Hughes joked: "On the back of three poor performances then it's positive speculation I suppose!"
Stoke have lost their last three matches and are without a win in the Barclays Premier League since March.
Injuries have hampered Hughes' team during that run, although the Welshman tried not to use that as an excuse, and he now has a fresh absentee with goalkeeper Shay Given out with a groin problem.
Leading scorer Marko Arnautovic is also a doubt with a groin injury and will undergo a late fitness test but fellow forward Jon Walters could return for the first time since having a knee operation.
Xherdan Shaqiri (hamstring) has also returned to training while Erik Pieters is welcomed back from suspension.
"I'm not one to hide behind injuries but the reality is that we haven't been at our best form because maybe key individuals aren't available and we've had to make changes within games. That affects continuity," said Hughes.
"It has had an impact but even so we've been disappointed with the last three games and we need to get back on track."
Sam Allardyce has backed Lamine Kone's no-frills approach to defending to provide the foundation for Sunderland's ongoing drive to avoid relegation.
The 27-year-old Ivory Coast international, a January signing from Lorient, has been a major hit on Wearside and has contributed to three clean sheets in the last four games as the Black Cats have eased themselves out of the relegation zone, if only just.
He and current central defensive partner Younes Kaboul are keeping vastly-experienced Republic of Ireland international John O'Shea out of the team.
However, it is his no-nonsense approach to his job which has pleased his manager and won him so many admirers at the Stadium of Light, where he has already established himself as something of a cult hero.
Allardyce said: "He's a proper centre-half who knows how to defend. Whoever has brought him up and coached him has coached him how to defend, not come sweeping out of the back with the ball and play this pass and that pass."
Another clean sheet at out-of-form Stoke this weekend could see Sunderland strengthen their grip on safety with derby rivals Newcastle in hot pursuit and Norwich ready to resume action after an enforced lay-off.
Allardyce has suggested that the Magpies' opponents this weekend, Crystal Palace, may already have one eye on the FA Cup final, although he is expecting Mark Hughes' Potters to be a much tougher proposition as they attempt to bounce back from a run of three successive defeats.
He said: "I think there's been a little bit too much emphasis on the switching-off scenario because for me, it's the list of injuries that's the big problem for Mark. I have known Mark for years and I have never known him take it easy on his players, ever."
Sunderland midfielder Jeremain Lens has shaken off the virus which prevented his participation against Arsenal last weekend and returns to contention.
Full-back DeAndre Yedlin, who was a doubt for the 0-0 draw with the Gunners because of an ankle problem, started and got through the 90 minutes with no ill effects.
Source: PAR
