Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross ruled out for three weeks with groin injury

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed that captain Ryan Shawcross will be out of action for three weeks with a groin injury.

The 27-year-old suffered the problem during the Potters' 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers last weekend.

"Unfortunately Ryan will be missing now for a couple of weeks," Hughes told the club's official website. "That is a big disappointment for us because he is obviously an important player for us and the captain, so he will be a miss.

"We do have other players who are capable of filling in though so it is a chance for them to come in and make a mark, just as they have done in the past."

Shawcross will be absent from Sunday's Premier League match against Newcastle United, their home clash against Manchester City and an FA Cup fifth-round meeting with Blackburn Rovers.