Stoke hit by Higginbotham injury

Higginbotham re-signed for Stoke from Sunderland in 2008

Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham is set to be out for up to six months with a ruptured cruciate knee ligament problem, BBC Radio Stoke understands.

The 32-year-old suffered the injury during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea and had a scan on Monday.

He will miss the rest of the season, including the FA Cup semi-final against Bolton at Wembley on 17 April.

Higginbotham scored the winning goal in Stoke’s 2-1 quarter-final win over West Ham in March.

More to follow.