Stoke City manager Mark Hughes is hopeful that training sessions can return to normal when he takes his side to Dubai for a six-day break.

The heavy rainfall since the start of the year has had a detrimental effect on Stoke's training pitches, and Hughes has admitted that he is looking forward to undergoing preparation for their next fixture in better conditions.

The 50-year-old told Sky Sports News: "From our point of view, as a football club, it's difficult at the training ground at the moment because the pitches aren't in good condition and you can't do the work that you want to do.

"At least we won't have any issue in that regard in Dubai. We will have a decent surface to get some quality work done and be ready for the challenges ahead of us."

The Potters will face Manchester City and Arsenal when they return to England next week.

Written by
Darren Plant