Great Dane is happy in the shadows

STOKE manager Mark Hughes has called on Xherdan Shaqiri to relaunch his Potters career in the final weeks of the season, starting against Hull today.

Hughes wants Shaqiri, 25, to use the club’s run-in to prove he is one of Europe’s better playmakers.

The Swiss, below, has been blighted by calf problems this season and Hughes said: “It’s been a shame really. Xherdan is such a good player, he affects games, and that’s what we’ve missed.”

Shaqiri completed his first 90 minutes since November in last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Liverpool.

Hull midfielder Sam Clucas has been challenged to complete his fairytale ascent from non-League to full England international.

Clucas, 26, has played in all top-five tiers of English football and is on England manager Gareth Southgate’s radar.

Head coach Marco Silva said: “If Sam keeps working hard he can achieve his goal.” not with their backs to it. That formation, system and philosophy helps Christian and Dele. And they help a lot with the system and the philosophy that we play. It works both ways.”

Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe hopes Jack Wilshere stays beyond the end of the season.

Arsenal and England midfielder Wilshere joined the Cherries on a season-long loan last summer to revive his injury-hit career.

Afobe, best pals with Wilshere since their days in the Arsenal youth academy, said: “Jack has helped the club and the players. He has lifted us and the quality in training has improved.

“It shows we are growing because we are attracting these kind of players and hopefully when we sign more players they’ll be quality.

“I’d like Jack to stay but that is a chat he has to have with the boss Eddie Howe, with Arsenal and his family and agent. “No friend or player is going to influence his decision. He has not got a clue what he will be doing.

“Right now he has to focus on staying injury-free, finishing the season strongly and doing his best for the club.”

Spurs have won their last 11 games at White Hart Lane but Afobe added: “We have had a few tough games recently and people write us off before the match has even kicked off but we know what we can do.

“It’s about being tactically aware, sticking to our game plan and executing it. Whether I’m playing against top or bottom, I get the same buzz and just want to score goals.”