Mark Hughes: 'Stoke City stretched defensively'

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has revealed that the club is "stretched" at the back with several defensive injuries.

The Potters recorded their third win in a row by beating Newcastle United 1-0 at home last night to climb up to seventh in the Premier League, but Hughes has a defensive headache ahead of Saturday's trip to Chelsea.

Phil Bardsley is facing a number of weeks out after being forced off midway through the first half last night with a calf injury, while Geoff Cameron is a doubt for the trip to West London because of an ankle problem.

Potters captain Ryan Shawcross remains out with a persistent back issue, with Glen Johnson and Marc Wilson also unavailable.

"We've got five fit defenders at the moment and some of them aren't even fit," Hughes told reporters. "A hundred percent fit, if you take my gist.

"We are a little bit stretched, it is fair to say, but the guys are putting their hand up and getting out there, so that's good."

Stoke have lost all seven of their Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge, scoring just two goals in that run.