Stoke City manager Mark Hughes said that there were plenty of positives to be taken from the friendly defeat to Championship side Sheffield Utd.

The Blades scored a goal in the dying moments of the win to claim a 2-1 win over the Potters at Bramall Lane.

"It was a good game for us, they tested us physically more than any other side in pre-season, which is what expected and wanted," Hughes told Stoke City+.

"They are an accomplished side who are playing with confidence having won promotion last season, and they pressed us hard.

"We were a little bit unfortunate to concede the goal so late on but that was probably down to me, changing things around a little bit, looking to get game time in some of the guys legs.

"Overall, it was a good exercise for us and we got out of it exactly what we wanted which was a really physical test."

"Fitness wise we are in a good place, and in a better position than we were at this stage last season."