Shawcross facing spell on sidelines

The central defender is to have the operation next week having suffered a recurrence of the back problem that troubled him last season.

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.

"That initially appeared to be the case, but the harder Shawcross pushed himself in pre-season the more discomfort he found himself in, leaving no alternative but for him to undergo the operation."

Source : PA

Source: PA