Stoke striker Jese Rodriguez is proving himself in England

Jese Rodriguez is proving himself in the Premier League amid the personal turmoil of caring for his poorly baby back in Spain.

The Stoke striker, who scored the winner over Arsenal and performed well against Manchester United, is being allowed compassionate leave in between training sessions to tend to his newborn son Nyan in a hospital in his homeland.

Mark Hughes has praised Jese, 24, for being able to adjust to life in England so seamlessly while also coping with the premature birth of Nyan, by girlfriend Aurah Ruiz, this summer.

'It's under difficult circumstances because it's not easy for him at the moment,' said Hughes. 'His young child is ill, he's preoccupied with that away from the football.

'Maybe the football lifestyle he has is a blessing to be able to – for a short period – get away from the situation his family finds themselves in. He can just concentrate on the football.

'Hopefully things will resolve themselves in the way everybody wants and his baby will start to improve and he'll be in a better place. Given all those things away from the pitch, I think he's done remarkably well.'

Hughes added: 'When it came to the international break, we sent people over to train with him while he was at home. And early this week we gave him a bit of extra time, clearly there were decisions to be made in terms of the treatment for his baby. So he needed extra me, we'll keep on managing it and help if we can.'

Jese, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, posted a message in tribute to his son on Instagram.

'I will run more, score more goals, and do everything a father can do to see his children at home not stop smiling,' he wrote. 'Everything will go well, and I will always be by your side.'