Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has revealed that club captain Ryan Shawcross will see a specialist this week as he bids to prove his fitness for the opening game of the new season.

The ex-Manchester United defender suffered a back injury in the second half of last season, and he has played in just one pre-season game.

Hughes told the club's official website: "As we all know, Ryan has got an issue with his back which he is going to get checked out this week. Obviously it isn't resolving itself so he will see a specialist early this week and hopefully we can gain more information following that meeting.

"He hasn't had too much game time and he has been struggling in training also, so we need to get it sorted once and for all."

Stoke host Liverpool on Sunday.