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| Hughes reckons Mourinho's absence will negatively impact Chelsea |
MARK HUGHES insists Chelsea's dirty laundry won't interest him today - even if it's hiding Jose Mourinho.
The Stoke boss says his club will not be worrying about Mourinho's stadium ban when they host a Chelsea side without their manager this evening.
Mourinho allegedly avoided a similar ban in 2005 by getting smuggled into Stamford Bridge in a laundry skip for a Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich.
Hughes has joked his opposite number might try again, but insisted Stoke won't be checking.
"I suppose the FA can check if he arrives with the team - is he in the laundry basket or something?" smiled the former Chelsea striker.
"But I don't anticipate any Stoke staff checking. It's down to the FA, it's their ban, they should police it. I don't think it should be down to us.
"Whether the FA have things in place I don't know but I'd be very surprised if they haven't."
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| Mourinho refused to appeal the stadium ban, but did brand it stupid |
Hughes, whose side have lost just once in five Premier League games, reckons Mourinho will be missed as he sits out today's game.
"It's always good to see Jose in the dugout and our crowd enjoy seeing opposition managers on occasions," said Hughes.
"We will see if it's a negative or a positive. Who's to say he hasn't got a phone to his ear and isn't in touch with his coaches?
"It may well impact negatively on the team, it may be a positive, it's a tough one to call. Maybe without his influence at half-time and just prior to the game, it may take something away."
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