The Welsh manager has been discussing whether the club will be signing Lee Grant on a permanent deal once his loan period runs out.
Mark Hughes has told the Stoke Sentinel that Stoke City are looking into the possibility of signing Lee Grant on a permanent deal.
Goalkeeper Grant is currently on loan from Derby County until January 3, but has impressed in the absence of first-choice Jack Butland.
And it appears that the 33-year-old, who made his Premier League debut this season, could see his spell at Stoke turned permanent, but that the club may hold off until the summer to sign him once his Derby contract runs out.
Hughes told the Stoke Sentinel: “We’re very happy with what he’s producing at the moment and if everything is aligned I’m sure there would be a desire to keep Lee at the club. He’s been a positive influence, but it’s very early days.”
Butland has returned to training since injuring his ankle back in March this year whilst on duty for England against Germany and is set to return to action by January.
Grant will be needed once he returns to Derby, with the club currently third from bottom in the Championship having conceded 11 goals in 14 league games this season.
New Derby boss Steve McClaren could block a potential January switch with the Rams manager having previously selected Grant as his first-choice keeper during his first stint at the iPro Stadium, but will find it hard to regain the number one spot, with both Scott Carson and Chris Weale battling it out for a starting berth.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
