Hill blow for Stoke

Clint Hill is set to miss a large chunk of next season due to a knee injury.

Stoke defender Clint Hill is set to undergo knee surgery in a bid to get his career back on track, but the injury is likely to sideline him for a large part of next term.

The defender damaged the cruciate ligament in April and has been told he requires surgery after a bout of rest failed to have the desired effect.

The 26-year-old has been told that the injury is likely to keep him out of action for a substantial portion of next season.

The news will come as a blow to Stoke as he was named Player of the Year last term.