Stoke City coach. Mark Hughes says Ex-Liverpool star, Peter Crouch is still very important at the club despite giving opportunity to other players in the league.
Hughes insists Peter Crouch is still an integral member of the squad despite a lack of first-team action this season.
The Lanky striker was one of Stoke’s standout players during their 1-1 draw against Sunderland.
The forward headed down the ball for team-mate Marko Arnautovic to open the scoring with a powerful left-footed shot. Hughes after the game said:
“Peter was really influential against Sunderland.
“I was really pleased with his performance.”
Hughes has opted to stick with his new-signings this season which has seen Crouch start only four games so far but the Stoke manager has been impressed by the forward when he has been given the opportunity.
Hughes admitted this when he said:
“I’ve disappointed him this season because we’ve brought players in and I’ve given players game time ahead of him just because they needed integrating into the Premier League.
“Peter has probably missed out on a number of occasions as a consequence of that, but whenever you call upon him he still gives everything he’s got.
“He’s always played the same way – he’s not lacking pace because he’s never had it. I was really pleased with him against Sunderland but I wasn’t surprised.”
Crouch who is 35 years old has scored two goals in the League and FA cup but none in the Premier League.
However, he has contributed to the squad helping Stoke City to the first half of the table. Stoke lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace last week in a keenly contested away match but will face West Ham United, who are in super form and even defeated the Red Devils 3-2 on Tuesday night, in the last round of matches.