Mark Hughes: 'Giannelli Imbula could make Stoke City debut against Everton'

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has said that the club's record signing Giannelli Imbula is ready to make his Potters debut against Everton this weekend.

Imbula finalised a move from Porto to Stoke earlier this week on deadline day for £18.3m and the Frenchman has been training with his new teammates.

Although unlikely to play from the start when the Potters host Everton tomorrow, Hughes suggested that he could feature off the bench.

"He may be involved tomorrow," Hughes told reporters today. "He trained with a group of eight or nine players yesterday and with the full squad today.

"It's my intention to get him involved as soon as possible so he can see what the Premier League is about.

"It's important we give him time. He needs to adapt to this league and I've no doubt come next season he will feel the full benefit of that."

Stoke go into tomorrow's match sitting 10th in the Premier League, a point and a place above their opponents.