Thursday 29 December 2016 19:17, UK
Mark Hughes has assured Bojan Krkic more game time after his representatives held talks with Stoke over the unsettled player's future.
Bojan and his representatives have been unhappy at a lack of playing time for the forward, and he has been the subject of interest to Spanish clubs Valencia and Las Palmas.
Valencia subsequently made an enquiry to the Potters earlier this month but Sky sources understand they were told the 26-year-old was not for sale.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes insists Bojan has been assured of substantial game time between now and the end of the season and that he is still considered a crucial part of his first-team squad.
Hughes said: "He hasn't had too many starts of late and that's had a few things to do with a change in formation that hasn't allowed his talents to come to the fore in as much as when we play in a different way.
"And sometimes there have been different circumstances, when we've been protecting leads, then he hasn't been the right option off the bench. When you're chasing leads then you look to bring him on, which we did to good effect against West Ham.
"Bojan's people came in and we had a discussion. I made my feelings known. Clearly he wants to play more. I want to give him more opportunities and he will get good opportunities between now and the end of the season, it's just about making sure we get those decisions correct in terms of wen he plays and has an impact.
"He's very well thought of. He's an outstanding player. He'll get good time between now and the end of the season. It's just up to us to make sure he's happy enough about the game time we give him.
"He's had that explained to him and his advisers. We want him to stay. He's a big part of what we are doing. We have got three attacking players leaving for the African Cup of Nations, so he will play."
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