Stoke City duo Ryan Shawcross, Xherdan Shaqiri to miss Watford visit

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has revealed that Ryan Shawcross and Xherdan Shaqiri will play no part in Saturday's visit to Watford.

Defender Shawcross has been ruled out with another back injury, having only just returned from eight games out with a similar problem in the defeat to Southampton.

Meanwhile, winger Shaqiri suffered a thigh injury in the 2-1 defeat by the Saints, and Hughes confirmed their absences to a news conference on Thursday.

"Ryan Shawcross won't be available. Shaqiri is likely to be missing for ten more days or so," he said.

"Erik Pieters hasn't trained up until today, but hopefully we can get him out tomorrow. Other than that it is just long-term injuries."

Stoke sit ninth in the Premier League table.