Stoke City manager Mark Hughes is hoping for a quick recovery for injured skipper Ryan Shawcross.

The 28-year-old picked up a back injury in the 3-0 defeat to Leicester City on the weekend and was expected to be out for a month.

However, Hughes has his fingers crossed that the influential central defender could be back in action sooner than later as the Potters strive to remain in the top half of the Premier League table.

"He feels a lot better and the injury seems to be settling down," Hughes said.

"Initially we said three to four weeks, but hopefully it will be sooner than that."