Stoke City manager Mark Hughes upbeat despite injury concerns

Mark Hughes is confident Stoke can maintain their momentum for a strong finish to the season despite injury concerns.

The Potters have won four of their last six games as they attempt to secure a place in European competition next season.

Goals from Jon Walters and Joselu secured a 2-1 victory at Watford in their last match before the international break but they have since suffered significant injury blows.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland fractured his ankle on international duty with England ruling him out of the rest of the season and almost certainly Euro 2016 as well, while Republic of Ireland striker Walters will miss at least three weeks due to a knee problem picked up in the win over the Hornets.

Three other players, including skipper Ryan Shawcross, will remain on the sidelines for the Swansea game, while Xherdan Shaqiri is unlikely to return.

Geoff Cameron and Glenn Whelan will undergo late fitness tests and although a burgeoning injury list is a cause for concern, Hughes still remains upbeat about their chances of securing another three points.

"We've compensated when players have gone out of the team and others have come in. We've been able to keep our levels high," he said.

"Ideally you don't want to lose players, but it happens. We have a few missing, but I have enough to be able to put out what are good, competitive teams in my view."

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Jakob Haugaard is expected to replace Butland in goal after he fractured his ankle in England's 3-2 win in Germany last weekend.

Hughes believes the 23-year-old will be "fit and raring to go" for the start of pre-season training, despite the disappointment of missing out on this summer's European Championship in France.

"We're disappointed for him, obviously," added Hughes. "But the operation was straightforward and successful, so I fully expect him to be fit and raring to go come the beginning of the pre-season period.

"He's a strong character, and one who will deal with the situation as he finds it. I think everybody agrees, including Jack himself, that he'll come back stronger."

There has also been surgery this week for Walters, another player who has been hoping to feature at Euro 2016.

Talking about the knee issue Walters sustained in the Watford match, Hughes said: "He didn't think it was anything too significant, went away with the Irish squad and was hoping he'd be involved in their second game.

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"But it was clear he was struggling, and a scan showed he has a tear in his cartilage, so that has been trimmed.

"He's had it before and is very positive. I think he's said the last time it happened, he was back in three weeks - but it might be a little bit longer than that."

Asked if he thought Walters would play for Stoke again this season, Hughes said: "Maybe - it is not completely out of the question, although it has to go completely to plan with no setbacks."