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Mark Hughes is to remain manager of Stoke City for next Saturday's crunch clash with fellow strugglers West Brom.

The club's top brass remain gravely concerned by the club's position after yesterday's 3-0 home defeat by West Ham leaves them fourth bottom after five defeats in six.

But neither chairman Peter Coates nor vice chairman John Coates were minded to make a change at the top.

For now, at least, they share Hughes' confidence that he is the man to steer the club away from a relegation dogfight.

But clearly a repeat of yesterday's events come next Saturday against West Brom, a club currently two places and two points below Stoke after losing at home to Manchester United this afternoon, could force a re-think.

(Image: Getty)

The club's board remains optimistic that forthcoming fixtures offer Hughes and his players the chance to pull clear of immediate trouble.

Stoke City follow the West Brom game with a trip to Huddersfield on Boxing Day, to Chelsea on December 30 and then entertain free-falling Newcastle on New Year's Day.

As for Albion, they scored their first goal in more than six hours at The Hawthorns this afternoon but, despite late pressure, it proved no more than a late consolation in a 2-1 defeat to United.