BOSS Mark Hughes says Stoke's number one priority tomorrow should be to match Cherries' work ethic.

Statistics provided by the EA Sports Player Performance Index show Eddie Howe's team to be one of the hardest-working in the Premier League.

Andrew Surman has become the first player to run more than 300km in the top flight this season with Matt Ritchie (268.71km) and Dan Gosling (267.91km) also having put in the hard yards.

The Potters have suffered three straight 3-0 defeats in the league, the latest of these at home to Everton last Saturday.

Hughes told The Sentinel: “Bournemouth had a period where they were struggling for results, although I don’t think their performances diminished, but they have turned that around and I think they were unlucky last time out.

"We know they are a hard-working side and the stats they produce are some of the highest in the Premier League.

"First and foremost we have got to match that and be defensively sound and create more.

"We had a lot of possession against Everton – it was 65-35 in the first half and we found ourselves 3-0 down. We have talked about that this week.

"We have got some specific work done leading into the game ahead and so it’s been a productive week and I expect to see a response this weekend.”