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Stoke-on-Trent, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Stoke City has been dealt a huge blow with the news that forward Bojan Krkic will miss the rest of the season after rupturing a cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The 24-year-old sustained the injury in Stoke's 4-1 FA Cup fourth-round win over Rochdale on Monday, and the problem will require surgery, bringing an end to Bojan's first season with the Potters.

Since arriving from Barcelona in July 2014, Bojan has managed to tally four goals with one assist in 16 Premier League games and he has become an important piece in the first team under manager Mark Hughes.

"It's bitterly disappointing for the club but even more so for Bojan himself as he was making such a big impact on the Premier League and clearly enjoying his football," said Hughes following news of the injury.

Bojan's four goals in league play place him second on the team behind Mame Diouf, who has five, while fellow forwards Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch have also netted four goals.

Stoke is currently 10th in the league table, 10 points above the relegation places.