Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has insisted that he 'understands' the supporters' concerns over the club's decision to send Robert Huth out on loan.
The German defender joined fellow Premier League side Leicester City in January for more game time.
The decision, though, has been questioned by fans after injuries suffered by defenders Ryan Shawcross, Marc Wilson and Marc Muniesa.
"Yes, I can understand why supporters would be asking why did you let him go, but equally I can understand the management team's reasons for doing so," The Sentinel quotes Coates as saying.
"They wanted to give him games after his long-term knee injury and it was felt reserve games weren't suitable. The timing was then very unfortunate with the injuries that followed the decision to let Robert go."
The 30-year-old joined Stoke from Middlesbrough back in 2009.
