Stoke's Glen Johnson ruled out for three to four weeks

Stoke City right-back Glen Johnson is facing at least three weeks on the sidelines after suffering a fresh thigh injury.

The 32-year-old was injured in training this week, although it was not a recurrence of the problem that forced him to withdraw from the England squad to face Malta and Slovenia after he had earned a surprise international recall from interim boss Gareth Southgate.

Johnson, who last featured for England at the 2014 World Cup against Uruguay, had been expected to be fit to play for the Potters against Sunderland on Saturday despite his withdrawal.

However, Stoke manager Mark Hughes has revealed Johnson injured his other thigh during a training session on Tuesday after returning to his club.

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"Glen pulled up in training with a thigh injury," said Hughes. "It's not the one he injured previously, it's on the opposite [leg].

"He came back from England and he trained on Tuesday and he pulled up. It looks like it could be three to four weeks, maybe more, unfortunately."

Johnson has made four appearances for Stoke this season but he now looks set to miss the matches against Hull and Swansea as well as the visit of the Black Cats to the bet365 Stadium.

Meanwhile, midfielder Joe Allen is rated at 50-50 to be fit to face Sunderland after injuring a hamstring during Wales' 2-2 draw with Austria and he will undergo a late fitness test.

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