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Mark Hughes will be under orders to slash Stoke’s budget and change the playing style if he is appointed as their new manager.

Hughes spent Tuesday in lengthy negotiations with the Potters' hierarchy, who hope to confirm him as Tony Pulis' successor within the next 48 hours - as we revealed yesterday.

The 49-year-old, who is set to agree a one-year rolling contract, will be expected to make radical changes from the Pulis regime.

Hughes and fellow Welshman Pulis were bitter enemies after a string of touchline bust-ups and the irony is that the former will now be under orders to right the wrongs committed by his countryman.

Pulis bought a string of high-earners and kept them on big deals, and chairman Peter Coates has made it clear he now wants the club to go in a “different direction.”

That will mean more opportunity for younger players, greater emphasis on 'growing their own' via the academy and a look into cutting back on ageing players who have no resale value.

Hughes, set to bring in his trusted backroom team of Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, will work alongside Stoke's technical director Mark Cartwright.

One of the big criticisms of Pulis’ reign was the direct style of play, and Hughes will be expected to play more expansive football.

He is hoping a deal will be sealed by the weekend so he can start to rebuild his reputation after his QPR failure and win over fans whose reaction to his potential appointment has not been entirely positive.