STOKE boss Alex Neil confirmed Ben Wilmot broke his back after a sickening fall against West Brom and will not play again this season.
However, he is hopeful the Potters centre-back can return for pre-season training — as experts decided he did not require surgery.
The 23-year-old former England Under-21 star spent the weekend in a London hospital after his horror injury, which left him requiring oxygen on the pitch during Stoke’s 2-1 defeat.
Wilmot toppled following a mid-air collision with Brandon Thomas-Asante.
He then left the field on a stretcher and the medics were forced to stabilise his neck.
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Some team-mates struggled to hold back tears as they feared the extent of the damage.
However, Neil was able to give a more positive update on Wilmot ahead of Stoke’s Championship home game against Wigan on Tuesday.
He said: “At the moment he’s not going to require surgery — but it’s significant enough to cause him to miss this season.
“He’s in a lot of pain and he’s being treated to make sure he’s comfortable.
“We need to get him back fit for pre-season, that is the main focus now.”
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Wilmot came through the youth ranks at hometown club Stevenage and was picked up by Watford in 2018 despite interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.
After two Premier League appearances, he had loans at Udinese and Swansea before returning to Vicarage Road in 2020.
But with 33 Hornets matches under his belt, he joined Stoke in 2021 after signing a four-year deal.
He has appeared 39 times in the Championship this season.
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