Steve Bruce is being considered at Stoke City as a replacement for Mark Hughes.

The Sunday Express says Hughes is the favourite with some bookmakers to become the first manager sacked this season despite yesterday's home draw against West Brom lifting them off the bottom of the Premier League with just two points from six games.

Bruce has been out of the game since he left Hull City in the summer in frustration at the lack of transfer activity.

He masterminded the Tigers' return to the Premier League at the first time of asking after they beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 in the Championship play-off final.