Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has insisted that goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard needs time to become accustomed to the Premier League following a shaky start to his career in England's top flight.
The 23-year-old has played in Stoke's last two league matches due to a season-ending injury for regular number one Jack Butland, but has conceded six goals in that time.
Hughes refused to confirm that he would continue to pick Haugaard over veteran keeper Shay Given for the remainder of the season, but believes that the Dane will benefit from gaining more Premier League experience.
"Jakob has had a run in the side and we talked about the game last week. We discussed all elements of it and for the most part I have been pleased with what he has done," he told reporters.
"He is a young goalkeeper, and he is learning about the Premier League. You have to experience it before you understand the intensity, so that is why it was right to give him the opportunity. Some of the guys were talking about the time that Asmir Begovic started to get games in the Premier League at Stoke. He had difficult games that didn't go quite to plan, but you see how he has come through.
"A little bit of focus has been on that position, but I'm quite comfortable with where we are with it. As always, I have the benefit of good goalkeepers in the building, so if I decide to make a change, then I'm quite comfortable with that. But at the moment, Jakob needs the experience and the opportunity to play."
Stoke host title-chasing Tottenham Hotspur at the Britannia Stadium on Monday night.
Barney Corkhill
