Stoke City chairman Peter Coates admits they're sweating on Joe Allen's injury scan.

Wales midfielder Allen was withdrawn as a precaution with a hamstring strain and is battling to be fit to face Georgia in Cardiff.

Coates told The Sentinel: “We hope Joe is okay. You always have to keep your fingers crossed when your players go away during the international break.

“You only have to look at what happened last season when Shay Given and Jack Butland picked up serious injuries playing for Ireland and England respectively.

“It's out of your hands and you just hope that they all come back without picking anything up."