Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen a major doubt for Manchester United clash

Stoke City could be without Joe Allen for Sunday's (2 October) trip to Manchester United, but Xherdan Shaqiri will be available to start just his third game of the season.

Allen, a summer signing from Liverpool, scored his first goal for the club against West Brom last Saturday but was forced off with four minutes of the match remaining with a hamstring injury, replaced by Charlie Adam.

The Wales international has not trained this week and while Hughes had remained cautiously optimistic about him being available for selection, he feels Sunday's trip to Old Trafford may come too soon.

"Joe has a little bit of tightness in his hamstring still, which stems from the game last weekend," Hughes told a pre-match press conference. "He hasn't been able to train yet this week and we will have to take another look at him today and then tomorrow too.

"Hopefully he will be okay, but as it stands, without me having seen him today, he is a doubt for the game."

Shaqiri meanwhile missed six weeks of action with a calf injury before starting just his second game of the season against West Brom last week. The Switzerland international lasted 88 minutes in the 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium and Hughes feels the winger did enough to secure another starting role on Sunday.

"Xherdan came through the game last week fine, performed well, and is available for selection on Sunday."

Hughes also provided an update on England international Jack Butland. The goalkeeper has not played a competitive match since March and in early in September, underwent an operation on his ankle. "He (Butland) will be another month, minimum," he added. "My feeling is that it will be at least four weeks until we see him again."