Hoefkens praises fans

"It was a massive moment in my career, one of the key moments. That put me back on the road because I was devastated at that time as I didn't know what I had done wrong to be out of the team", Hoefkens told the Sentinel.

"There are so many highlights to look back on. I remember in my first official match at home to Sheffield Wednesday when I played a back-heel inside the area to win a penalty. You dream of that on your debut.

"And QPR away on the last day of last season was special. I know it was a bit of an anti-climax in the end, but if you'd seen the number of Stoke fans and their emotion that day, then you'd realise what is possible at Stoke.

"I hope it will go their way one day because the fans really deserve it. I will stay one of their biggest fans for sure.

"I will carry on living in Stoke, even though there is the M6 every day.

"Everybody always speaks down about Stoke, but I don't know why. They are down-to-earth and, as fans and people, they are just great. Just tell them I can head the ball.

"The Championship is a hard league with at least 10 teams wanting to push for promotion.

"At the moment it is difficult for them to get a team on the pitch, but I am 100 per cent sure Stoke can be one of those 10 teams."