Stoke City boss Mark Hughes insists EFL Cup hat-trick hero Peter Crouch is in his plans.

Crouch struck his first treble for six years to see Stoke comfortably through to the third round via a 4-0 coasting at League Two Stevenage.

"He always gives me something to think about," Hughes insisted when asked if Crouch had a shout for the weekend at Everton.

"I thought he was excellent today. He's a good focal point and allows us to get good quality balls in.

"I thought he was excellent along with many others, to be fair. I thought our attitude was spot on.

"Our back four was really in control with whatever they threw at us and our extra quality took the game away from them."