FRESH BAKER BLOW FOR POTTERS

Midfielder set to be sidelined for a further month as he recovers from ankle surgery

- Peter Smith

LEWIS Baker will face another four weeks on the sidelines after undergoing surgery this week.

The influential Stoke midfielder has needed an operation to deal with an ankle spur that emerged when it seemed he was close to a return.

He has been badly missed for Stoke since Brandon Thomas-Asante fell on the back of his leg when Stoke played against Championship leaders Coventry on November 9.

A 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United on Monday was the ninth game he has missed while Junior Tchamadeu (AFCON), Aaron Cresswell (calf) and Eric Bocat (knee) were also ruled out.

Tchamadeu and Cresswell had been near-ever presents in Stoke's strong start to the campaign but they have won just two of the last 10.

Stoke will also be without Ben Pearson for the trip to Hull City tomorrow (3pm) as he serves a one-match ban for a red card picked up late on against Sheffield United.