Stoke defender Andy Wilkinson could miss the rest of the season with his troublesome hamstring injury.
Wilkinson returned from a two-match absence to start Saturday's Premier League game at Newcastle but lasted just 31 minutes at St James' Park before limping off again.
He will now undergo a scan on his hamstring but looks increasingly unlikely to feature in the Potters' remaining four games of the season.
Tony Pulis told the Stoke Sentinel: "He actually feels better now than when he came off on Saturday but it's still bad enough to send him for a scan on the hamstring.
"We'll obviously wait to see what the results bring before deciding how to go with Andy, but time is clearly running out this season."
Wilkinson's absence would likely mean a return for Jermaine Pennant, with Ryan Shotton dropping to right-back, but Pennant himself is working his way back to fitness after illness.
"He has been training all right so far this week, but he's still not as sharp as he can be," added Pulis.
"When you've had a virus like he's had, it does take it out of you."
