Nathan Jones has issued a hands off warning to any Premier League side interested in a move for Stoke City midfielder Joe Allen.

Both Watford and West Ham have been linked with a move for the 29-year-old in recent weeks, but Potters boss Jones is clearly keen to keep hold of one of his prized assets.

Speaking to The Stoke Sentinel about Allen's future at the Bet365 Stadium, Jones said:

“We want him here, 100 per cent.

“He’s a wonderful player, a wonderful character, a wonderful athlete and he’s someone we want to keep and I will do everything I possibly can to keep him."

Jones, who was appointed Stoke boss in January to replace Gary Rowett added: “I believe he’s enjoying his football. He gets a lot of responsibility. We play the way that suits Joe and I think he’s settled.

“We’ll be having those conversations with Joe because no-one wants to lose their best players and Joe is definitely in that category.”

Since joining Stoke from Liverpool in 2016, Allen has made 121 appearances in all competitions for Stoke, scoring 16 goals, and has remained an impressive performer for the club, despite their Premier League relegation last season and underwhelming first season back in the Championship.

The midfielder himself was non committal when asked about his future earlier this week, as he admitted to BBC Radio Stoke that he does not know what will happen in the summer transfer window.

This is Allen's first season back in the Championship after competing in the top tier for seven seasons with Swansea, Liverpool and the Potters.

The verdict

Jones' comments here will be a welcome sight for Stoke fans.

They need an overhaul of their squad in the summer, but losing a player as key as Allen will not be part of that plan, and Jones' comments here show that Stoke are not going to give up their biggest assets without a fight.

That is a hugely promising sign for the summer.