Stoke City boss Mark Hughes blasted Hull City fullback Maynor Figueroa over a bad challenge on Stephen Ireland.

Hughes had to take Ireland off at half-time of Stoke's 1-0 win.

He said: "We were really pleased.

"But I have to say, it is tempered somewhat because we have Stevie Ireland having been on the end of an horrendous tackle in the first half - one that should have seen a straight red card, to be perfectly honest.

"Why the referee or his assistant haven't seen the severity of that challenge... He (Ireland) has come in at half-time, rolled his sock down, and I think everyone was taken aback by the severity of the gash on his calf.

"He has got something like 12 or 15 stitches in the leg wound, so for the officials to not see that challenge - I've seen it on video, and it is shocking.

"I'm highlighting it not because I want to get anyone in trouble - I'm just saying that, on the day, I thought the referee was poor."