Stoke City's Mark Hughes: 'No reason for Peter Crouch not starting'

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has insisted that he does not have a problem with out-of-favour striker Peter Crouch.

The 32-year-old has not started a game in the Potters' last six matches, despite being in the first team at the beginning of the 2013-14 campaign.

Hughes has rejected suggestions that he has fallen out with the player by claiming that he is trying to find his best attacking options.

"There is no specific reason he is not starting," ESPN quotes Hughes as saying. "I have looked at a number of combinations and Peter has had a run of games.

"We have a number of different options. It is just a question of settling on one combination we feel will carry us through the vast majority of the season."

Stoke, who are currently 16th in the Premier League table, will take on Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow.