Thursday 31 December 2015 14:42, UK
Mark Hughes says there is no 'urgency' to add to his Stoke squad in January but admits there have been conversations about potential targets.
Stoke are 10th in the Premier League after back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Everton over the Christmas period.
And, while Hughes admits he has enquired about potential recruits who he feels could add to his squad, he thinks there is more value to be had in the summer market.
"I don't think there is any urgency from our part to really add," Hughes said.
"We've had conversations about certain players that we obviously like the look of and we are asking about their circumstances and availability and I think everybody does that leading into the window.
"Whether or not we actually go into the market or we feel we are set fair for this season and wait until the summer, when you get better deals to be perfectly honest.
"If the right player is available we'll consider it, but if we need to wait, we will."
The likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Leicester have impressed so far this season alongside Stoke, while some of the teams usually associated with top four finishes in the Premier League have struggled.
The Potters travel to face West Brom on Saturday sitting just six points off the Champions League places and Hughes says his side's lofty position is well deserved after a fine run of form.
"Whether this is a sign of things to come and a changing of the order, I'm not too sure. But it is fantastic to see the likes of Leicester up there, and ourselves - we are trying to have a go.
"We're in the top half and we are there on merit. I think all the teams such as ourselves, we are all just thinking we'll go into games and let's back our ability against anybody and see how far it takes us.
"I think up to this point we have been really encouraged by what we have been able to produce so we have just got to keep it going.
"We know we can beat anyone in this league, although there are a lot of teams who will say exactly the same. So it is about having that consistency, and if we can get that, who knows where we can go?"
Meanwhile Hughes let slip that Stoke's Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri did not mean his sensational second goal against Everton, which has been a hot topic of conversation ever since.
Shaqiri looped a first time effort on the half-volley over the head of goalkeeper Tim Howard as Stoke beat the Toffees 4-3 but Hughes says he told a team-mate the stunning strike was not intentional.
When asked if he meant it, Hughes said: "I'd like to think he did but unfortunately I heard Charlie Adam on the radio this morning saying that 'Shaq' told him he didn't mean it.
"So there you go. I would have kept quiet myself and just said I meant it."
