Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has no doubts over the temperament of Steven Nzonzi.

Nzonzi was in hot water with Sunderland boss Gus Poyet earlier this week after grabbing midfielder Jack Rodwell round the throat after being pole-axed by the England midfielder.

But Hughes believes Nzonzi was merely protecting himself as the incident threatened to escalate out of control.

"I thought it was a poor tackle that didn't need to be made," said Hughes. "They were taken aback with Steven raising his hands, but that was because the lad moved his head towards him. He was just trying to keep him away from him."