Monday 1 December 2014 17:00, UK
Stoke boss Mark Hughes says midfielder Steve Sidwell is set to be out of action for up to six weeks after he sustained a knee injury against Liverpool at the weekend.
Sidwell has undergone a scan and Hughes said the verdict of the club's medical staff was marginally better than initially feared.
"We thought it was likely to be a six to eight weeks but we've had slightly better news," said Hughes, whose side face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
"It's a medial tear of his knee ligeament so having seen the scan the medical people are telling me its likely to be four to six weeks."
Sidwell suffered a knee injury midway through the first half of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Anfield and was replaced by Glenn Whelan, but the Irishman went off himself at the break with a calf problem.
"Glenn's been checked over and it's not a pull which is further good news but he's obviously not available to play United," added Hughes.
"His problem is more to do with the recovery of the muscle which was tightening up on him at the weekend and he couldn't continue but we're hopeful that he'll be available soon."
Hughes said Whelan, who was making his comeback from the leg fracture he suffered playing for the Republic of Ireland against Germany in mid-October, could come into contention for the game against Arsenal on December 6 or the following week's fixture against Crystal Palace.
"It's a blow to us going into the Christmas period with the amount of games we've got but the fact it's better news that we are at least encouraged by," he said.
Sidwell and Whelan are the latest players to join an injury list which also includes Victor Moses, Robert Huth, Peter Odemwingie and Dionatan Teixeira, while Phil Bardsley missed the against Liverpool with a virus.
"These injuries of late have coincided with the illness that broke out last week, which we could have done without," said Hughes.
"As for the injuries, you can't really avoid them because they're occurring in matches and they're difficult to legislate for, even though you try to do everything correctly.
"There's not a great deal we can do about it. It's just a phase we are going through and we're trying to make the best of it."
Hughes said he could use the opportunity presented by next month's transfer window to restore some depth to the squad.
"If the injuries continue we are going to have to make sure we're not exposed and leave ourselves too open," added Hughes.
"The fact we have good players to come in has helped us during this period, but of course we don't want it to continue. We want it to resolve itself.
"Hopefully given time that's what will happen and we will be able to welcome players back.
"You've got to be strong enough to cope, and thankfully we are as we have strength in depth, and that's what we prepared for at the start of the season
"But if in January we've lost any to long-term injuries - and touch wood we don't - then we'll look at it, but at the moment we're OK."
