Wilfried Bony will have to remain patient at Stoke, says Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes has told Wilfried Bony he will have to remain patient after the striker expressed his frustration at a lack of first-team matches.

Bony said it is "painful" and "crazy" to be told he is training well by his manager but not getting in the Stoke City side on a matchday.

The 28-year-old has not made a single appearance since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, and has not played for the Potters since December 27.

Hughes insists Bony will get chances before he returns to Manchester City from his loan at the end of the season, but admits the striker is "frustrated".

"I've not seen the quotes," Hughes said. "Wilf's a good player and a good guy, and sometimes frustration gets the better of them.

"Wilf's been a little bit unlucky. He had a good run when he initially came here. It's fair to say he didn't score as many goals as he or I would have liked, so he went out of the team.

"Then he went to the Africa Cup of Nations and was away for a while, and during that time Peter Crouch came into the side and did really well. It's been difficult for Wilf to get back in.

"We've bought [Saido] Berahino in the meantime as well, so that's an extra striker on the books. So he's just going to have to be patient, unfortunately, as all good players have to be when they're out of the side.

"They get a bit frustrated but it's where it is at the moment. He'll get opportunities before the end of the season."

Stoke face struggling Middlesbrough this weekend and Hughes says Berahino is close to a first start since his move from West Brom in January.

"Berahino's doing extra work over and above the main group on sharpness and finishing," Hughes added. "We've been really impressed with him, particularly in terms of his finishing.

"He's clearly very much in my thoughts. It's only going to be a matter of time before he scores goals for us."