Stoke planning to keep Kenwyne Jones and Jermane Pennant
Skysports.com
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has no intention of allowing Kenwyne Jones or Jermaine Pennant to leave in January.
Both men have found themselves on the fringes of the first team fold at the Britannia Stadium this season.
Their situation has not improved since Hughes succeeded Tony Pulis over the summer and speculation has suggested that they could soon be on their way to pastures new.
Hughes, though, believes that both have a role to play with the Potters - with Premier League competition demanding strength in depth.
He said in The Sentinel on Jones, who was among the goals in Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup third round victory over Leicester City: "Kenwyne has had to be patient and I haven't been able to give him too many opportunities.
"He lost his place to Peter (Crouch) and has had to bide his time, but when he plays like that he will always be a threat to teams."
Pressed on whether he may be allowed to move on, Hughes added: "That's not the intention. We've had problems scoring goals and so we've got to keep players who can get you a goal, and he showed he's an option for us."
On Pennant, who failed to make the match day squad against the Foxes, Hughes said: "He's here until the end of the season, at least."
Meanwhile, Hughes has also confirmed that he is to re-explore the option of bringing USA international Juan Agudelo on board, with it possible that a second work permit application could be lodged for the New England Revolution striker in March.
The Welshman said: "We are just keeping in touch and inviting him over when we can.
"He will have a few days with us again like he did before Christmas. We want to see if there's any potential to do anything with him."