Stoke City appear to be stepping up their bid to find a new manager.

Gus Poyet, who remains suspended by Albion, has been strongly linked with the post.

However, the Premier League club have made initial contact with Mark Hughes.

The former Manchester City, Fulham and QPR boss appears to be their No. 1 target to replace Tony Pulis.

Hughes would be open to the prospect but Stoke are not ruling out other candidates.