Potters have their eyes on Flores

Espanyol and former Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores is Stoke’s first choice to succeed Mark Hughes.

It is understood a Stoke delegation met Flores in Barcelona on Wednesday, and that Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill is also under consideration.

The Potters sacked boss Hughes last weekend after the 2-1 FA Cup loss at League Two Coventry, which followed a run of seven defeats in 10 Premier League games.