Gus Poyet: “In the local paper we haven’t thrown any rumours that we are interested in any Stoke player, which is what has happened down there for the last week.
“We have not had any formal approach or offer from Stoke so for them to be linked with two very important players for us is very disappointing.
“He (Hughes) knows me well and Eddie Niedzwiecki, the assistant, was with me at Chelsea.
“I think they would call. If they make an offer official it’s fine, but it would be nice if they could give me a call first.
“Last week we had a job with Catts but this week I have tried not to talk about it.
“If there was something in it, fine. There is absolutely nothing in it.
"That made me wonder why? Is somebody trying to be clever?
“I hope they are the best two players on the pitch and maybe on Thursday we will get an offer!
“If they play well people will say they played well because they want to go. If they play badly, people might say they should go. I trust them and that is the most important part.”