Thursday 23 October 2014 16:24, UK
Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan could be out for up to six weeks after fracturing his leg while on international duty.
Whelan suffered the injury during the Republic of Ireland's 1-1 draw with Germany on 14 October, forcing him off after 54 minutes of the Euro 2016 qualifier.
He's been playing really well of late, but we'll get him back as soon as we can.
The 30-year-old subsequently missed Stoke's 2-1 victory over Swansea on Saturday, and is now unlikely to return until early December.
He will not undergo surgery as the Stoke medical team believe the injury will heal better without treatment, but he is expected to be missing for between four and six weeks.
The news means he will not be involved in the European qualifier against Scotland at Celtic Park next month, and will sit out Premier League games against Southampton, West Ham, Tottenham and Burnley.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes confirmed: “He got a kick on the outside of his leg, and there is a slight fracture there.
"He's not been put into a plaster cast. We're going to try and manage it without that because Glenn feels he'll get back sooner.
"But the likelihood is he's going to be out for four to six weeks I'd imagine, which is a blow for Glenn obviously because he is a big part of what we're doing, and we'll miss him.
"He's been playing really well of late, but we'll get him back as soon as we can.
"As for Ireland, knowing Glenn he'll try and make himself available, but my feeling is the game will be too soon for him.
"You have to let nature take it course. With fractures you have to give them enough time to heal."
Meanwhile, Phil Bardsley is rated as doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Southampton after picking up a minor back injury during last weekend's win over Swansea.
“Phil locked up a little bit during the game on Sunday, so he is a doubt ahead of the game,” added Hughes on the club's website.
“He hasn’t trained today, but we will see how he is again tomorrow and hopefully get him back into the group then.
“We will have to wait and see how he is, but at the moment he is rated as doubtful for the game.”
