Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has refused to rule out the prospect of his side qualifying for Europe this season.
The Potters currently sit in 10th place in the Premier League table thanks to four wins from their last six games.
While he admits that it will be hard to make up ground on the teams above them, Hughes has suggested that Stoke are capable of enjoying a late surge up the standings.
"We weren't anticipating challenging [for Europe] this season, but given the fact that we are in a good position, we have good games coming up then you never know," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
"Sides who started brightly, like Southampton, they have fallen back a little bit and we have gained some momentum. If we continue to play as well as we have done and those teams slip up then we are ready to get in there."
Stoke are back in action tomorrow night when they host Everton in the league.
Jack Prescott
