FOOTBALL : Ryan Shawcross is an injury concern ahead of Stoke’s Barclays Premier League visit to Arsenal next weekend after sustaining a groin problem.
Ryan Shawcross is an injury concern ahead of Stoke’s Barclays Premier League visit to Arsenal next weekend after sustaining a groin problem.
Centre-back Shawcross limped out of Saturday’s goalless draw at Blackburn and was due to be assessed on Monday.
Potters manager Tony Pulis told stokecityfc.com: “Ryan felt something in his groin, so we pulled him off as soon as possible.”
Midfielder Dean Whitehead is already out of the contest at the Emirates Stadium after picking up his fifth caution of the season.
Whitehead’s unavailability comes after what Pulis believed was his best performance in a Stoke shirt.
“I thought Dean produced possibly the best game he has had for us and although he missed two good chances, at the same time when we were tiring a bit at the end he was there stopping Brett Emerton from winning the game for them,” Pulis said.
“Obviously, it will be a blow to lose him for the Arsenal match, but we have players waiting in the wings to come in and show us what they can do.
“So it will be an opportunity for someone to come in and do that.”
