Stoke City boss Mark Hughes is concerned about the trend of players going over their managers' head to chairmen.

Hughes says there is no such problem at Stoke, but encourages a healthy relationship between his players and the Coates family.

He explained: "I think it's more dangerous for managers now. Every new owner has a view in terms of their relationship with players.

"Sometimes players have a direct line to owners and that can be dangerous.

"Should you be asking players (about the team) who are disenfranchised with the manager.

"We have got an ownership here who are very close to the players and will engage and interact with them, but that direct line isn't there and that is correct."