Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has praised Peter Crouch for working hard to improve his form this season.

The striker has scored three goals in his last six games for the Potters after a slow start to the campaign.

Hughes believes that the 32-year-old's professionalism in training is the main reason for his resurgence on the pitch.

"When I first came here in the summer, Pete's form wasn't where it is at the moment but I was just waiting for him to reap the benefits of the work he has been doing," Goal.com quotes him as saying.

"He started in the team but didn't stay in and other players were performing better but he has worked his way back in because he has been doing well in training.

"He's a good character to have around the place. I think he understood he wasn't producing what we knew he could. He's just got his head down and worked hard."

Stoke are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they travel to Swansea City.