Stoke boss Mark Hughes is not dismissing talk of a push for the top four as they end the year two points off fifth place.

Stoke winger Xherdan Shaqiri has been quoted this week suggesting a challenge for a Champions League spot is not out of the question.

Hughes observed: "Who knows in this season?

"Whether this is a sign of things to come and a changing of the order, I'm not too sure.

"But it is fantastic to see the likes of Leicester up there, and ourselves - we are trying to have a go.

"Crystal Palace, West Ham, teams like that - we are in the top half, and we are there on merit.

"All teams such as ourselves are going into games thinking we will back our ability against anybody and see how far it takes us.

"Up to this point we have been really encouraged by what we have produced and we just have to keep it going.

"We know we can beat anyone in this league, although there are a lot of teams who will say exactly the same.

"So it is about having that consistency, and if we can get that, who knows where we can go?"