Stoke City chairman Peter Coates says they hope to add to Mark Hughes' squad this month.

But he insists there's no reason to panic buy.

"We are looking to see if we can bring someone in who's going to help us," Coates told The Sentinel.

"But it is a tough market out there and it will not be easy. We are doing okay this season, but that doesn't mean we wouldn't strengthen the team if the right deal came along."

Coates said the likes of Stoke technical director Mark Cartwright were working overtime to increase the manager's options.

"Despite the difficult market out there, we are working hard on these things behind the scenes," he added.