Peter Odemwingie is expected to miss the rest of the season after Stoke City excluded him from their 25-man squad.
The Nigerian international has suffered a cruciate ligament injury and could be sidelined for eight months, ruling him out of the Premier League campaign.
The January signing from Cardiff City was stretchered off the field in Stoke’s victory at Manchester City last Saturday after coming on as a substitute.
Stoke moved to replace him during deadline day by re-signing Oussama Assaidi on loan for a season from Liverpool.
Hughes said: “It’s a significant injury and unfortunately it’s a long-term one but Peter has a great attitude to work and life in general.
“It will be a long road back but we wish him well. We’ll miss Peter around the place.”