Stoke's Pearson to miss start of season

Ben Pearson first joined Stoke on loan from Bournemouth in January 2023

Stoke City midfielder Ben Pearson will miss the start of the Championship season after undergoing hamstring surgery.

The 29-year-old is said to be "undergoing an extended rehabilitation period" after having the "troublesome" injury addressed during the summer.

Stoke head coach Steven Schumacher said it was "unfortunate" and "frustrating" for Pearson, who featured 32 times for the club last season after joining on a permanent deal from Bournemouth following an initial loan stint with the Potters.

"He has been at Clayton Wood [Stoke's training facility] with the physios throughout the summer to try and get himself fit for pre-season," Schumacher told the club website.

"However, he's required surgery on his hamstring injury, which we initially hoped wouldn't be the case.

"Ben is in good hands with the medical team and he now needs to get his head down for the rehabilitation process to give himself the best opportunity to come back as fit as possible when he is ready."