Mark Hughes has midfield concerns ahead of Stoke City's trip to Watford for Sunday's televised lunchtime clash.

With influential player and top scorer Joe Allen suspended, boss Hughes is light in the midfield department given Glenn Whelan (calf) is a doubt and Geoff Cameron (knee) remains out.

However, these problems could see a return to the Potters starting XI for Giannelli Imbula.

The club record signing has not featured in a Premier League game since being dropped in September, but in comments from his pre-match press conference reported on the Stoke website Hughes said he would have "no qualms" about restoring the Frenchman to his starting line-up.

“When he went out of the team we had an honest conversation about things he needs to improve on if he wants to be successful in this league,” Hughes said this morning.

“Giannelli was honest enough to say that given his ability he hasn't been able to impact games in the manner he would want.

“We have had a good response from taking him out of the side and it could be that we bring him back this weekend given the circumstances - I certainly wouldn’t have any qualms with that.

“He has been ready to come back for a number of weeks but given the way we have performed it has been difficult for him to come back.”

“He was very good last year but hasn't been able to hit those levels this season, and he acknowledges that himself.”

Hughes added: “We are patient with him, we want him here for a long time and we have to support him, which we have done.”

Full-back Phil Bardsley (knee) will miss a number of weeks, along with Ibrahim Afellay (knee), though England international goalkeeper Jack Butland (ankle) is close to a comeback.

Stoke were beaten 1-0 at home by Bournemouth last weekend, but prior to that had gone six games unbeaten in the Premier League.

Provisional Stoke squad: Given, Grant, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters, Muniesa, Whelan, Adam, Imbula, Bojan, Shaqiri, Sobhi, Arnautovic, Walters, Bony, Diouf, Crouch.