Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross ruled out of Aston Villa game

Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has been ruled out of their trip to Aston Villa.

The centre-back has a back injury, which has kept him out of the club's last three games, and he has had another injection this week.

Assistant manager Mark Bowen told reporters: "It's quite complicated. He's had another injection and they have to hit the right spot going into the disc. We're hopeful he will progress over the next 48 hours it will settle down significantly.

"It won't be enough to put him in the frame to take on Aston Villa but maybe it will be ok for the following week against Hull."

Shawcross has been Stoke captain since 2010.