Stoke City defender Danny Higginbotham has suffered a major injury blow.
Higginbotham faces up to six months on the sidelines after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis told The Sentinel: "It's a rupture and I'm devastated for the kid. It's a big blow for the team because Danny had just come back into the side and was doing so well.
"Hopefully he will return to training by the back end of pre-season but it's hard to be precise right now.
"We look after our own at this club, so once he gets over the shock of the injury, Danny knows he will be getting the best possible care and treatment."
