Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed that Bojan Krkic is in contention to start against Arsenal on Saturday.

Bojan has been prevented from making a Premier League appearance this season as he continued his recovery from the knee ligament injury he sustained in January.

The 25-year-old made his return in the League Cup last month, and Hughes believes that he is now ready to play a role for the Potters at the Emirates Stadium.

"He's close and very much in my thinking," Hughes told reporters. "It's never easy coming back after a long-term injury.

"When he first came here he found it difficult at first but once he got to grips with things he flourished. He knows what is required now."

Bojan scored five goals in all competitions last season before injury ended his debut campaign.