Mark Hughes will still be Stoke boss at Christmas, but unless form improves he may not see in the New Year at the bet365 Stadium.

Stoke sources have confirmed that the dreaded ‘vote of confidence’ has been given to Hughes – with the club currently just one point and one place above the drop-zone.

Stoke’s run of form has seen them win just one win in eight games, and club supermo Peter Coates is understood to be considering Hughes’s position, but he is willing to give him some time.

The Potters next two games against West Brom and Huddersfield will now decide Hughes’s immediate fate.

Hughes is now very much at the head of the Premier League sack race, closely followed by Swansea’s Paul Cement.

Hughes is 4/9 to go with BetVictor which is a near 70% probability.