Mark Hughes plays down Peter Crouch exit talk

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has played down suggestions that Peter Crouch could leave the club this summer amid talk of a move to London.

Both West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers have been credited with an interest in the former England forward.

However, Hughes has branded the talk pure speculation.

"I think [the Crouch rumour] is probably agents being agents and perhaps managers being a little bit mischievous to be perfectly honest. I'd take it with a pinch of salt," he told Sky Sports News.

Crouch scored 10 times for Stoke last season.