Mark Hughes: 'Sam Allardyce can manage big Premier League club'

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has backed Sam Allardyce to be given a chance at a top Premier League club after making a solid start to life at Sunderland.

The 61-year-old was appointed as Dick Advocaat's successor in October, taking over a winless Black Cats side who were second from bottom at the time.

A 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday night makes it two wins from five for the experienced boss since taking to the helm, and Hughes believes that Allardyce can achieve success wherever he manages.

"Sam can manage at any level in the Premier League; top, middle or bottom," he told reporters ahead of Saturday's meeting against the current strugglers.

"He's got the qualities that teams at the bottom you would think would need - organisation, belief, giving them a gameplan. Given what was out there Sam was the best choice for them."

Hughes also revealed that Philipp Wollscheid is a major doubt for the trip to the Stadium of Light due to an injury sustained last time out.