Bojan handed Stoke lifeline with Paul Lambert planning further talks

The former Barcelona player has only played twice for Stoke since last January

Bojan has only played twice for Stoke since last January (Getty)

Paul Lambert hinted Bojan could still have a future at Stoke city after meeting the forward this week.

Signed in the summer of 2014 to much fanfare, the former Barcelona player has only played twice for Stoke since last January, having been loaned out first to Mainz in Germany and then Spanish side Alaves.

The 27-year-old has been a peripheral figure at Alaves, starting just three games and scoring once, but Lambert spoke warmly of his first impressions of Bojan, who still has two years to run on his contract.

"I met him at the start of this week and I've got to say a top kid, a really nice guy," said the Stoke boss. "I know his career was massive but, for whatever reason, he went back out on loan. I thought he came across really well despite a difficult time in Alaves.

"He's got a good way about him, nice manners and a nice demeanour, and was a huge, huge talent. Whatever happened to him here I don't know, but I'm pretty sure in the next few weeks we'll talk again."

Lambert also left the door ajar to a possible return for defender Robert Huth, who will leave Leicester at the end of the season.

Huth spent five-and-a-half years with Stoke before joining the Foxes in January 2015 and played a significant role in their Premier League title win the following season.

But injuries have prevented the 33-year-old German making a single first-team appearance this season and he has not been offered a new contract by Leicester.

Lambert said: "Nobody here can speak highly enough of him. I don't know him, but what he did, the brilliant things at Leicester, it's the mentality. That's vital, to want to work, work and work.

Bojan could return to the first-team picture at Stoke (Getty)

"You have to get these type of lads in. You can be a big talent, but not a good guy and it's dangerous. Or maybe not as talented, but my God what a work ethic. I'll have that any day of the week over somebody who thinks he's arrived.

"There is a nucleus of good guys here and if you can bring in one or two to help them, then this place will be really strong."