Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has backed striker Peter Crouch to one day successfully step up to management.

This week, Crouch revealed that he is interested in stepping into the coaching caper once his playing days are over and his decision to take that path has been backed by Potters boss Hughes.

Hughes said: "Certain players, when they get to this stage of their career, they start to think about what they're going to do in the future. I can imagine Peter would want to stay in the game.

"He has a real love for it. Some think they've had enough of this lifestyle we lead but Peter obviously feels he'll have something to offer with his experience and what he has been through as a player at a number of levels.

"He has a real insight into that. I think that could help in the future. He has a good demeanour and personality which would lend itself to being a good coach."