Premier League: Stoke boss Mark Hughes says Peter Crouch is a true professional

Mark Hughes has hailed Peter Crouch's professionalism after the striker's late heroics earned Stoke a point at Newcastle on Sunday.

The England striker, who recently signed a contract extension with Stoke, scored a last-minute header after coming on as a substitute with the away side trailing 1-0 at St James’ Park.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane drew plaudits for an equally impressive header in Saturday’s north London derby with Arsenal, but Hughes insists Crouch has consistently been doing the same for years

He said: "Somebody mentioned over the weekend maybe Harry Kane is the only guy that scores goals like that any more. Well, I think that's an oversight on Peter Crouch because he's been doing that for a long, long time.

"Peter has been unlucky in the last few weeks because he hasn't been starting games for me, but he is very much valued by myself and the club. That's why we have given him another extension to his contract.

"We know his value and we know whenever we call upon him, then he will always impact on games for us. If he comes on the pitch or if he starts games, he will always have an impact for us. It's credit to him as a professional."

Hughes was distinctly unimpressed with the manner of Newcastle’s opener on Sunday after goalscorer Jack Colback escaped a second yellow card three minutes before scoring.

The Welshman was astonished by what he saw as a clear error, but he is not holding his breath while waiting for an apology from the official.

He said: "I hear sometimes of referees ringing up managers and apologising – I don't expect for one moment that I'll get an apology. I have been a manager 15 years and I have never got an apology from a referee, so it's not going to start now, is it?