Stoke City chairman Peter Coates is hopeful of securing the long-term services of a pair of players that have made significant impacts during the first half of the season.

Coates confirmed that negotiations are underway with Marko Arnautovic and Erik Pieters, with hopes of completing the process before the pair edge any closer towards the last 18 months of their contracts.

"Yes, they are contracts we are working on at the moment," Coates told Martin Spinks of the Stoke Sentinel.

"We are always aware of these things, of where we want to go with them, and are trying to make sure we get things done in good time."

Both players were brought to the club in 2013 and have been regular fixtures in Mark Hughes' team sheet.

Arnautovic, in particular, has been one of the standout players on the squad, especially after scoring important goals to help Stoke beat Manchester City and Chelsea.