Stoke City striker Cameron Jerome has criticised the lack of squad rotation under previous manager Tony Pulis. "There's no guarantees [for places under Mark Hughes] but before in the old regime, there was a guaranteed XI who played," Jerome told BBC Radio Stoke.

"No matter what happened, how you trained or if you came on and did well in the games you were involved in, you were still never going to start."

Jerome continued: "I think a few of the lads who didn't play as much under the old regime won't be disheartened by the fact a new manager's come in with a new method and a new way of thinking.

"Everyone seems to be happy with a spring in the step, and it's not just the players - the staff are more happy and everyone is taking to their new roles."