Xherdan Shaqiri expected to make Stoke debut against Norwich

Xherdan Shaqiri is expected to make his Stoke City debut this weekend, according to manager Mark Hughes.

Shaqiri was suspended for last week's 2-2 draw with Tottenham after signing from Inter Milan for £12m earlier this month. 

Asked if Shaqiri will make his debut this against Norwich on Saturday, Hughes said: "I would think so at some point. 

"There are decisions to be made on who starts and who will be on the bench. He has been very good in training.

"Although we would have liked him available last week, we feel that the extra week he has had has aided him. He is more integrated into the group now, and he is aware of what we are trying to do.

"He is our record signing, and we feel we have brought in a player of real top quality. He can be a really big player for us this season."

Shaqiri, Ibrahim Affelay, Marco Van Ginkel and Joselu are among eight signings at the Britannia this season.

Hughes said: "I think people are excited and enthused about what we could possibly offer when we have everybody fit and available.

"There are lots of talented players in the squad now, and throughout the season I will look at which 11 I feel is best for that game and pick my team on that. 

"Players will have to be patient, and others will be disappointed, and rightly so. I can only pick 18 on any given match day."

Spaniard Bojan has been out of first-team action since January and Hughes is refusing to confirm whether he will be involved this weekend.

"He had 90 minutes last weekend which was important, but I am mindful that we have a game on Tuesday night as well," he said. "He and others may well benefit from that."

And Hughes is keen to build on last week's performance against Tottenham, where they hit back from two goals down to earn a point, when they travel to Carrow Road on Saturday.

I think people are excited and enthused about what we could possibly offer when we have everybody fit and available.

He added: "The second 45 minutes I thought we were excellent. The first 45, maybe less so. We very nearly took maximum points from the game in the end. It's fine margins in the Premier League, and if you aren't quite where you need to be, then things will go against you.

"We have had two hard fixtures and you take encouragement from performances we have been able to produce. Certainly against we deserved something.

"Back-to-back defeats would have been a bit hard on us. Given the circumstances of the Spurs game we're encouraged. We're in decent shape, we've got a point on the board and now we're looking to build our season.