Stoke City 'hopeful of Asmir Begovic stay'

Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes has admitted that he is not sure if goalkeeper Asmir Begovic will still be a Potter next season.

Bosnian international Begovic, 27, is out of contract next summer and said to be interested in a move away after being left out of three of the club's last four matches by manager Mark Hughes.

English youngster Jack Butland took his place for the Premier League fixtures last month against Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley, keeping a clean sheet in the latter two contests.

Scholes told The Sentinel that he was hoping Begovic would commit to the club, but conceded that the stopper is "keeping his options open".

"We would very much like him to extend his contract but I think Asmir has said it himself, he is keeping his options open and seeing what might be available for him," Scholes said.

"If I'm speaking frankly, I don't know who he might be speaking to. That's not accusing him of anything, it's just saying that's the reality."

As well as Butland, Stoke also recently signed Danish keeper Jakob Haugaard from FC Midtjylland.