Hill knee surgery shock for Stoke

Stoke defender Clint Hill could be out of action for up to nine months after being told he requires knee surgery.
The 26-year-old suffered cruciate ligament damage at Plymouth in April but hoped rest would heal the problem.

But Hill will now undergo an operation when he returns from his honeymoon next month and he is set to miss at least the first six months of next season.

The former Tranmere and Oldham centre-back was a fixture at the heart of Stoke's defence before the injury.