Phil Bardsley, Glen Johnson and Charlie Adam are playing for their futures of Stoke City.

All three are out of contract at the end of the campaign.

“We've talked with most of them," said manager Mark Hughes. “With Glen it's down to game time and he could trigger an option himself by playing, so that's still on track.

“Phil we've had discussions with, and Charlie has obviously intimated he would like to stay.

“You've got get the balance right in terms of the make-up of the group. Those guys are good characters as well and you don't want to lose too many of that type.

"But we can't carry everybody. We've got a group of predominantly senior players and that's okay, but when everybody is fit and well it becomes more difficult to keep everybody happy.

“So we will be carrying less senior players next year and see where that takes us."