Stoke City lose Bojan Krkic for rest of season with knee injury

Bojan Krkic of Stoke City receives treatment during the FA Cup fourth round match between Rochdale and Stoke City

Stoke City will be without the services of Bojan Krkic till the end of the 2014/15 Premier League season, due to the anterior cruciate ligament injury received by their talismanic attacking midfielder during Monday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Rochdale.

The 24-year-old left the Rochdale pitch on crutches, and a scan on Tuesday confirmed ligament damage in his left knee which will require long-term recuperation.

Bojan has had big impact on Premier League: Hughes

"It's bitterly disappointing for the club but even more so for Bojan," said Potters manager Mark Hughes. "He was making such a big impact on the Premier League and clearly enjoying his football."

Bojan had moved to Stoke from Barcelona at the beginning of the season in a bid to revitalize his sagging career, and had done so in style till this stage of the season. The Spaniard scored his fifth goal of the season with a wonder strike on Monday in the match against Rochdale.

Bojan has been instrumental in the Potters’ quest for a top half place this season, and their highest goalscorer after forwards Mame Biram Diouf and Jonathan Walters.

The La Masia product had only recently regained his reputation as being one of the most exciting young prospects in world football, and this is sure to come as a big blow.