Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has admitted the losing striker Bojan Krkic for the season was "hard to take".
The 24-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in his side's FA Cup win over Rochdale on Tuesday, which could rule him out of action until October.
Hughes feels that the injury is a tough loss for his team to take because of the Spaniard's form, but believes that the Potters have enough quality to continue their recent run of good results.
"It's a blow for him and for us because he has been playing so well, but I have a good group of players here, the vast majority of whom were here last year and they didn't do too badly," Hughes told the club's official website.
"They helped us to ninth place in the Premier League and everything we are striving for this season is still in place, despite the loss of Bojan. We have been hurt a little bit this year – we lost Peter Odemwingie to a similar injury in very similar circumstances too – but these things can happen.
"It is hard to take because it is unusual that two injuries like that occur in the same season, but we will get on with it and keep moving forward. We have great quality in the squad."
Stoke play Queens Park Rangers in their Premier League clash later today.
Simon Sinclair
