Gary Rowett has confirmed that midfielder Tom Ince is set to undergo surgery this week in a move that rules him out of the match with Nottingham Forest next Saturday.

Ince started yesterday as Stoke held high-flying Middlesbrough to a draw at the bet365 stadium, but Rowett confirmed that having played with significant pain for a number of weeks, he's now be sending the player for surgery on a recurring issue.

“Tom has had an issue for a number of weeks now," Rowett told the club's official website. “It has undoubtedly hampered him to a degree, but such is the character of Tom, he has wanted to play through the pain-barrier to try and help the team."

Rowett claimed that Ince has been playing with a hernia that has left him at 80% capacity and that now is the right time to get the issue sorted properly.

“We feel the time is right for him to undergo surgery this week however, meaning he will be absent from the side at the City Ground next weekend.”

The timing means he'll also have the international break in which to recover, with the hope being he'll be fit an available in three week's time when the Potters host Queens Park Rangers.

Saturday's draw leaves them in 15th position, five points off sixth placed Nottingham Forest.

The Verdict

it does seem to be timed to perfection, with Ince getting the extra time to recover. He could have played against Forest, but perhaps Rowett sees the QPR clash as more winnable.

Despite being 15th, the division is very tight and it is the results against those around them that could give Stoke a leg up into the top six. they'll need their best players fit though, hence Ince's surgery.