Stoke City boss Mark Hughes will not "encourage" rumours linking him to Everton

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has insisted that he will not "encourage" speculation linking him to the Everton job.

The 52-year-old is believed to be on Everton's shortlist of potential managers to replace Roberto Martinez.

The Spaniard's future is expected to be the topic of discussion at a board meeting this week, which could spell the end for Martinez.

The Merseyside outfit are currently 11th in the Premier League table, 18 points adrift of a European place with four games left to play.

Amid the uncertainty, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has been linked to the position, while Hughes is also thought to be a contender, but the Stoke manager will not entertain the rumours.

"It is just speculation and I don't encourage that," Hughes told reporters. "The talk about jobs, I have had that against me before. I didn't like it so I wouldn't want to comment and encourage that sort of speculation against someone who is in the job already.

"It's just speculation and I don't encourage it, especially when someone is in the position. It's happened to me in the past and I didn't appreciate it."

Hughes has been Stoke boss since 2013.