Stoke City boss Mark Hughes was happy with Philipp Wollshcheid's debut in defeat at Arsenal.

The German defender endured a baptism of fire during yesterday's 3-0 drubbing at Arsenal.

The 25-year-old was thrown into central defence after just three training sessions with Stoke, but Hughes said: "We had nothing to lose and this was a good game for him.

"Marc Muneisa has been troubled with his groin, so it was an opportunity to give him more time off, although as it happened I had to bring him on from the bench.

"People saw the type of player Philipp is. He's got a good range of passing and obviously benefited from playing alongside Ryan Shawcross.

"All in all, it was a pleasing start and we think he's got good potential. He stuck at it and didn't go under. He was up against a good team, so it wasn't easy for him, or the rest of the guys, and he was one of the few positives."