Stoke City could be forced into the transfer market after Angus Gunn suffered an injury that will rule him out for up to six weeks.

The stopper arrived in the previous window and started on the bench initially. However, an injury to Adam Davies saw the on-loan Southampton man put into the XI and he had featured in the last four games.

That run will end now though, as the Sun revealed Gunn has picked up an ankle ligament injury which will see him out until the New Year.

As a result, the report claims highly-rated Josef Bursik will return to the Bet365 Stadium from a loan spell with Doncaster and 19-year-old Blondy Noukeu is another option to Michael O'Neill.

Given the duo lack experience, the update states the club will seek to make an emergency loan.

Whilst the transfer window is shut, clubs are allowed to do deals in exceptional circumstances and injuries to goalkeepers has been enough for deals to be done in the past.

Whether anything can be finalised by the weekend remains to be seen, with Stoke set to take on Huddersfield.

The verdict

This is a blow for Stoke and you also have to feel sorry for Gunn. He moved to the Potters seeking regular football after a few frustrating years with injury and then he gets this injury.

Having said that, in Bursik they have a keeper who was playing in League One and he recently started for the England U21 side.

So, his talent is clear and if they can't find an experienced replacement, the 20-year-old should be backed to do a job.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.