Stoke City have been hit with a potentially worrying injury update, with news emerging that Tom Ince has flown home from their pre-season tour in Holland. 

The 27-year-old picked up the injury, which will see him miss their game against German side, MSV Duisburg.

In a recent interview (quotes sourced from Stoke on Trent Live), Stoke boss, Nathan Jones issued an update on Ince's injury, and revealed that it was a groin problem.

"Tom's just gone back. He’s had a bit of a groin thing.

"It happened towards the end of last season and we thought we had fixed it, but it was more of a short-term fix at the time.

He went on to admit that he isn't expecting the winger to be out for a considerable amount of time though, and has just gone back as a precaution.

"We didn’t intend it to be short-term, but it was, so he’s just gone back and is checking on a few things."

"We don’t expect Tom to be out for any length of time, it’s just been a niggly little thing with him."

Jones will be hoping that Ince can make a swift return to action, as they get their Championship campaign underway on the opening day of the season against QPR.

The Verdict: 

This will be hugely frustrated for everyone associated with Stoke.

Ince has already shown that he is a key player for the Potters, and he would have been keen to see the back of his injury problems heading into the new Championship season.

Nathan Jones will be hoping that he can return to action as soon as possible.