Stoke City are ready to back manager Mark Hughes with transfer funds this summer but will demand a big improvement next season.

Hughes is not under threat of the sack, despite a disappointing season of underachievement, and the Welshman will be given money to strengthen his squad.

The 53-year-old has come under scrutiny from supporters after recording just one victory from the last 10 Premier League games, while many of his recent signings such as Giannelli Imbula and Wilfried Bony have not worked out.

Hughes is recording his lowest finish since taking charge in 2013 and Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat by Arsenal ensured a lap of honour took place in front of a near-empty bet365 Stadium.

Yet Stoke are sticking with Hughes and will give him the opportunity to shake up his team over the summer before his fifth season in charge.

Hughes had guided the club to three successive ninth-placed finishes before this season and the Stoke board believe that guarantees him enough credit in the bank to ride out the storm.