Stoke City: Mark Hughes protest is staged by Potters supporter

Hughes out banner

He may be just hours away from being appointed as Tony Pulis's successor as Stoke City manager.

But one fan has already staged a protest against former Queens Park Rangers boss Mark Hughes being appointed at the Britannia Stadium.

A season ticket holder spent Tuesday driving around the Potteries in a van sporting a "Hughes out" banner, a sign that cost him £50 to make.

Hughes, 49, is expected to be unveiled as the Potters manager by the end of the week after Pulis's seven-year reign was ended by mutual consent earlier this month.

Mark Hughes protest
A Stoke City fan stages his own demonstration against Mark Hughes's expected appointment

The Welshman, who has managed Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Fulham, also faced criticism from the Stoke Supporters Club on Wednesday.

The supporter Carl, who did not want to reveal his surname, believes Hughes's managerial record should not make him a candidate.

He said: "It is not just me, it is the thoughts of 90% of Stoke fans. Security made me move on from the Britannia so I drove around.

"I parked on motorway bridges and people were beeping their support at me and taking photos.

"He is not a long-term appointment, look at his track record, but it looks as though he is going to be appointed anyway."