EFL on Quest pundit Dean Ashton has said that he expects Stoke City to make a charge for the top-six during the second half of the Championship season. 

The Potters, who recently sacked Gary Rowett to appoint Nathan Jones from Luton Town, were made pre-season favourites to win the second-tier title, but are currently slumped in 15th place instead.

"I look at their starting eleven, every single game, and go 'well this team should win this game' looking at the players they've got on the pitch with their experience and quality," Ashton exclusively told Football League World.

"Nathan Jones is going to go in there, lift the mood, hopefully change a few things and look at players that maybe haven't been involved like Bojan with that bit more creativity that can make the difference in the Championship.

"I can see Stoke making a late push."

His impact was not instant enough, however, as the Potters were toppled with ease by Brentford, losing 3-1 to the Bees at Griffin Park on Saturday.

A Ryan Shawcross own-goal, as well as strikes from Said Benrahma and Rico Henry either side of Benik Afobe's fine strike, condemned Jones to defeat in his first match in charge.

He will be hoping for a better showing when they host league-leaders Leeds United at the Bet365 Stadium next weekend.

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