Hughes on the brink at Stoke after New Year defeat sparks protest by fans

● Players speak out in favour of manager but club’s board considering his position

Stoke are considering boss Mark Hughes’ future following their defeat to Newcastle.

The club’s board are understood to be assessing all their options, including sticking with the manager.

Hughes is under growing pressure at the bet365 Stadium following their 1-0 New Year’s Day loss at home to the Magpies.

It followed a 5-0 thumping at Chelsea where Hughes was criticised for making six changes as he looked to keep some stars fresh to face Newcastle.

The former Wales and Blackburn manager, pictured, has insisted he remains the best man to keep Stoke in the Premier League, with the Potters two points above the relegation zone.

Stoke have won just twice in their last 12 games, losing seven, with some fans holding ‘Hughes Out’ banners at the game on Monday.

Hughes has been in charge since replacing Tony Pulis in 2013 and has won 71 of his 199 games, losing 80 and drawing 48.

Stoke are due to go to Coventry in the FA Cup third round on saturday with hughes seemingly on the brink.

Meanwhile, Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland feels it is “easy to point the finger” during the club’s current difficulties and has stressed the need for unity.

Butland subsequently tweeted: “[At] times like these it’s easy to point the finger but we need to stick together, that’s what the club and the city is about!

“So let’s get on with it and just keep pushing and make sure we do all we can to get ourselves back up the table! @stokecity”

That came after Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam expressed his disappointment at the anti-hughes sentiment from the fans and hopes that the Welshman remains in charge. Butland was beaten by Ayoze Perez’s 73rdminute goal against Newcastle when the striker fired past the England international following Jacob Murphy’s cross.

Winger Murphy, who joined Newcastle from Norwich over the summer, told www.nufc. co.uk: “It was the perfect way to start the year.

“I’m over the moon to start 2018 with my first Premier League assist for Newcastle – I couldn’t think of a better way to do it. This is just the start. I can’t get too ahead of myself after just setting up one goal, but I’ll keep working hard and pushing forward to create more chances for the boys.”