Soccer-Hammers clash key for Stoke to secure top-half finish, says Shawcross

Stoke City need a victory when they host West Ham United in Saturday's Premier League clash if they are to secure a top-10 finish for the fourth consecutive season, captain Ryan Shawcross has said.

Mark Hughes's Stoke lost 2-0 at Swansea City last weekend and remain 11th in the league, one point behind 10th-placed Watford, who have a game in hand.

On the other hand, Slaven Bilic's West Ham, currently placed 14th, could revive their own top-half finish hopes and leapfrog Stoke with a victory at the bet365 Stadium this weekend.

"It's vital because not only do we have to put our last result right, we are playing a team that is around us in the table," Shawcross told the club website.

"If we can take three points off West Ham and push ourselves up the table then we put ourselves in good stead in the remaining games of the season.

"It could prove to be three points that sees us end in the top 10, which is what we're all desperate for."

Stoke have picked up just four points in their last seven league games.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)