Mark Hughes backs Stoke game-changer Bojan Krkic to excel

IN-FORM LEICESTER have been given an unusual incentive ahead of their Premier League encounter with Stoke this weekend. Stoke City, ranked #18 with two points, is poised as the underdog of the match.

The 25-year-old ex-Barcelona and Roma forward last began a Barclays Premier League game in January, when he got the victor against Leicester, who visit the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. To watch the game via live stream, click the attached link.

However, Hughes is relaxed over their slow start to the season which has included fixtures against Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal.

Leicester will be full of confidence, but their shock start to the season is certain to come to an end at some point, despite their impressive response to falling two goals behind last week.

Sept 17 Stoke City playmaker Bojan Krkic is itching to make his first Premier League start of the season at home against Leicester City at the weekend, news that manager Mark Hughes will welcome in light of his team’s disappointing start to the campaign. Jonathan Walters (knee) and Peter Odemwingie (hamstring) hope to return for Stoke, but Glen Johnson (hamstring) is a doubt.

“Four or five weeks ago he felt he could be involved but he didn’t have the capacity to do that”.

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland has made a league-high 27 saves so far in 2015-16. “If the timing of his comeback wasn’t managed correctly, he wouldn’t be in the position to come back and make the impact that we think he will do when he’s back playing regularly”.

If you asked me at the start of the season where these two teams would be now, I’d say they’d be the other way around.

Since March 2007, the Potters have lost just one match against Leicester in all competitions and recorded three wins in that stretch of seven games. It may sound weird, but they have too many footballers, and nobody who can go and win the ball. He came on to the pitch which we were delighted about and it was one of the positives from a poor day against Arsenal. It is fantastic. I love it. Mahrez can change direction so quickly.