Stoke City’s Marc Muniesa says he is ready to play in defence or midfield this Sunday if called upon by manager Mark Hughes.

With Joe Allen absent for the trip to face Watford at Vicarage Road this weekend through suspension, Muniesa could be drafted into a defensive midfield role.

Having operated in all positions along the defensive backline in 58 appearances for the club in three seasons, Hughes could bring Muniesa into midfield to cover the shortage in numbers.

“I’m ready to play anywhere,” he said at the launch of the Alice Charity Santa Dash.

“I’m working towards that. I know we have only five defenders and it’s difficult for the gaffer and maybe in midfield as well we are struggling a little bit.

“We are a big squad and we have a lot of midfielders so maybe I could play in defence but it’s not a decision for me to make but I’m ready.”

The Spaniard, 24, has struggled to break into the Potters side, making just one Premier League appearance this season at home to Sunderland.

Having signed from La Liga giants Barcelona in 2013, Muniesa was seen as a defender but he did reveal his previous experience playing in a midfield role – something which Hughes may be pondering.

“In the Barcelona B team I played six or seven games,” the Potters defender added.

“And in training I would play in midfield as well to have the mentality of others players in order to be able to think like them.”