Jack Butland could be out for a further two months after the England international and Stoke City goalkeeper suffered a setback in his road to recovery.
The Stoke City keeper had suffered an ankle fracture during England 3-2 friendly win over Germany in March. The injury kept the keeper from playing any football in the last six months.
The England international will undergo another ankle operation after a scan on Wednesday. The doctors had found some scar tissue, which is still causing problems for the young keeper.
The 23-year old, who is challenging Joe Hart to become England’s first choice keeper, is concerned about his comeback from injury as the recovery could take a further eight weeks.
The goalkeeper confirmed on Twitter that he would be undergoing a minor operation on Monday to resolve his ankle issues.
The injury could see the keeper miss more than six Premier League games for the Potters and hampering his chances to play for England in the World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Malta next month.
Jack Butland was all set to feature for Stoke in the opening Premier League game against Middlesbrough, after he made a return from injury in a friendly against Burton Albion in pre-season, only to break down in training just before the game.
Butland’s injury has come at a very bad time for the Potters as they only managed a single point from three games played in the Premier League. After the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough, Stoke manager Mark Hughes admitted that Butland’s injury “Knocked us sideways”.
The Potters were clearly missing Jack Butland last week after they suffered a disappointing defeat to Everton through a Shay Given own goal.
Everton had a stroke of luck through a penalty as Phil Bardsley brought down Ashley Williams after the defender was put under pressure by the Welshman. But bizarrely Leighton Baines penalty was saved by Given, only to see the ball bounce back off the post as the rebound hit the keeper and rolled in.
The growing concern in the goalkeeping department forced Mark Hughes to sign Lee Grant from Derby County on a short-term loan on deadline day.
Hughes happy with Bony signing
But Mark Hughes and Stoke can be delighted with their loan deal for Manchester city outcast Wilfried Bony, after failing to sign their long-term target Saido Berahino. Hughes said, "Bringing Wilfried in was a no-brainer for us to be perfectly honest, because he knows the Premier League and has scored plenty of goals at this level.
"He has power, speed and very good physical attributes which will undoubtedly help us, and his technical and finishing skills are outstanding too.
Stoke City will be hoping to find momentum as they look to take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
