Shawcross must wait for England, says Stoke boss Hughes

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes says defender Ryan Shawcross may have to be patient in his effort to break into Roy Hodgson’s England squad. 

Shawcross, who has one England cap to his name when he was called up by Hodgson in 2012, has been an instrumental figure at the heart of Stoke’s team this season.

With only 12 goals conceded, the Potters have the fourth best defence in the Premier League, but Hughes says the Stoke captain may have to wait for his chance to become an international regular.

“He’s been outstanding,” said the Stoke boss, speaking at the club’s pre-match press conference. “He certainly has the ambitions to get into the England squad but Roy Hodgson has stuck with the players that have got him through the qualification campaign.

“Ryan may have to wait for a change of circumstance in order to get a chance.”

Stoke face Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium at the weekend, and go into the game on a great run of form, winning five of their last seven games.

And Hughes has praised Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce ahead of the game, backing him to guide Sunderland to safety.

“Sam can manage at any level in the Premier League; top, middle or bottom,” said Hughes.

“He’s got the qualities that teams at the bottom you would think would need – organisation, belief, giving them a game plan. Given what was out there Sam was the best choice for them.”