Hughes not interested in selling N´Zonzi

Mark Hughes has no intention of letting Steven N’Zonzi leave Stoke City ahead of the new season.

The French midfielder had expressed his desire to leave the club at the end of the 2012-13 campaign, but Hughes’ arrival as manager appears to have changed his mind.

N’Zonzi has started all four of Stoke’s pre-season matches and Welshman Hughes is adamant that the 24-year-old will stay.

“He’s fine now and he isn’t going anywhere,” the Welshman told The Sentinel.

Hughes has also used pre-season to welcome Jermaine Pennant and Wilson Palacios back into the Stoke squad after the pair struggled under former manager Tony Pulis.

Pennant, released by Stoke at the end of the last campaign, was re-signed by Hughes – and he expects the 30-year-old to repay that faith.

“He’s been given another opportunity and I’m sure he will take it,” Hughes added. “I think sometimes people get the wrong impression of Jermaine, but he wants to work and do well for us.”

Palacios made just four appearances in the Premier League last season, none of them starts, and despite reports linking him with a move to Hull City, Hughes insisted that he still has a future at the club.

“He’s had a difficult time for whatever reason, but he’s an accomplished player who understands the game,” he continued. “He’s certainly in my thoughts (for the opening match against Liverpool).”