Stoke City boss Mark Hughes says the players deserve great credit for lifting the club after Tony Pulis' departure.

Stoke faces Pulis' West Bromwich Albion this weekend.

"I think I've acknowledged Tony's work here," said Hughes. "When I'm asked the question, it's right to do that.

"I think it's fair to say that when I got the job there was a real feeling the team was looking like it was starting to fail.

"The way the team has gone since, and the work the players have done, has been quite exceptional.

"It's the players that really deserve credit for embracing completely a different way to work and different targets...and they have been exceptional in that regard and why we have been able to do what we have up to this point."