Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has likened Joe Allen's impact to Dele Alli with Tottenham.

Hughes believes Allen is promising to do for Stoke what Alli is doing for title-chasing Tottenham.

“His work-rate in that position is huge," said Hughes. “There aren't many who can play in that position and still give you that work-rate.

“There's Dele Alli, maybe, whose fitness and distance stats are large, but Joe's probably matching those at the moment. That's why he's getting real opportunities.

“It's OK getting the opportunities, but you've got to be able to finish them, and he's doing that as well. We hope that's not just a flash in the pan. We're hoping that he's an accomplished finisher as well as a guy who anticipates things in the box.

“But if in future he's not as effective in that role, then we've got other players who can come in. At the moment, he's there on merit and having a huge impact on what we're trying to do."