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Stoke City might have gotten four points from their last two games, but Mark Hughes is looking forward to a difficult game at Stamford Bridge today.

Stoke are facing a defensive crisis with Ryan Shawcross, Bruno Martins Indi and Glen Johnson all injured, and Kurt Zouma can’t play against his parent club.

Speaking of the team’s injury crisis ahead of the Potters’ visit to Stamford Bridge, Hughes said: “We are obviously desperate to get a number of key players who are missing through injury back to full fitness.

“Once we do that then I am confident of enjoying a really productive second half of the season.

“Obviously Chelsea will be difficult, but Newcastle straight after, we have to make sure we are ready for that and really kick on in the new year.”