Stoke’s Shawcross to miss two months after back surgery

The club statement explained the situation, saying: “The central defender has suffered a recurrence of a back problem that troubled him last season”.

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates is not pointing fingers over Ryan Shawcross’ recurring back injury.

Shawcross has been the captain of Stoke since 2010 and he has become one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League.

The club have now confirmed he will undergo surgery in a bid to correct the issue.

Stoke kick off their Premier League campaign against Liverpool at home on Sunday, hoping for a repeat of the final fixture of last season when they beat the Reds 6-1. “Ryan’s record and his performances speak for themselves”.

Mark Hughes will now have to pick two from Marc Wilson, Marc Muniesa, Phillip Wollscheid and Geoff Cameron to partner each other at the centre of defence over the next two months. He’s a leader and a phenomenal player as well, he’s brilliant.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland admits that the loss of their skipper has come as a blow, but insists that they’re still more than capable of getting a result.