Stoke City boss Mark Hughes: 'FA Cup is always a priority for me'

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has admitted that the FA Cup is a 'priority' for the club as they prepare to take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in the fifth round of the tournament.

While the majority of Premier League teams focus mainly on their progression in the top flight, Hughes believes that it is important to focus on competitions that the club can "realistically" win.

"I've always prioritised cup games," Hughes said in this morning's press conference. "We are in three competitions and there are two we can realistically win - the FA Cup and the League Cup.

"We are taking a sell-out following to Blackburn and we would have taken more if we had been allowed. The fans are obviously excited, so we are giving the fixture the respect it deserves."

In the league, Stoke are currently 10th in the table.