Stoke City boss Mark Hughes insists he had the backing of the board to spend in last month's transfer window.

Hughes was given money to spend, but was not able to spend it where he wanted and on who he wanted after seeing the likes of £5m Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole slip through his grasp on deadline day last Friday.

"In the window there was an opportunity to get people in, so I haven't got an issue with that."