PLIGHT OF HIS BABY SPURS ON STAR JESE

MARK HUGHES praised Jese Rodriguez for playing on through personal turmoil over his newborn baby son. The Spanish striker will again put his heartache aside to lead the Stoke attack at Newcastle today. Hughes revealed the full extent of the difficult start to Jese’s Stoke career, with the 24-year-old combining impressive performances with regular trips home to visit son Nyan (above). The baby was born prematurely before Jese’s loan move to Stoke from Paris Saint-germain in August and is still in hospital in Gran Canaria following complications and an operation. Boss Hughes said: “It’s not easy for Jese. His child is ill and he’s preoccupied with that away from the football, but when he comes in to training he’s fully focused.” Jese pledged on Instagram to score goals for Nyan, adding: “Each day I learn from you, from your strength, your attitude to not give up and little by little you are coming out of this.”