Stoke City striker Jonathan Walters has welcomed new manager Mark Hughes.

The Republic of Ireland forward insists Hughes' experience will help him succeed, despite his sacking at QPR.

Walters said: "Mark Hughes is an ambitious manager and wants to go places.

"It's a great club for someone to come into. He has a blank canvas with no real debt and a chairman who really backs his manager, so hopefully he will do a great job."

Walters, 29, admitted Tony Pulis' departure last week came as a shock.

He added: "I was very sad to see him go. He has done unbelievable things for Stoke - but we have to keep pushing on."