Shawcross facing spell on sidelines

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

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

A statement on the Potters’ official website on Thursday said: “The club had hoped surgery would not be necessary and that the summer break would provide a solution”.

After undergoing pre-season training, discomfort continued and the club have revealed that they had no option but to send their man for an operation.

He was already nearly certain to miss Stoke’s Premier League opener with Liverpool but the news confirms a lengthy absence is now likely.

The one-time England global has been an integral player for the Potters since joining the club from Manchester United in 2007.

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.

“The likes of Geoff Cameron, Marc, Philipp and Muni are top-class centre-halves and would be brilliant replacements”.