Stoke City forward Bojan Krkic has been handed a huge boost after it emerged he will be able to return to training in just over three months time.

Initial scans indicated that he would be out of action for up to six months after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in Stoke's 4-1 victory at Rochdale in the FA Cup.

However, Sportsmail understands that subsequent tests have demonstrated that although the anterior cruciate ligament suffered damage, the meniscus and the two lateral ligaments have not been adversely affected.

Bojan Krkic receives treatment after falling awkwardly on his knee as he raced through on the Rochdale goal

Stoke forward Bojan is tended to by the club physio after injuring his knee against Rochdale

It is now understood that Krkic will be able to return to training in May and he is hoping to be in prime condition on the first day of pre-season.

He will still miss the remainder of this campaign but fears that he may also be absent for the beginning of next season have been eased. He will now miss only three months of competitive action.

The forward, who had been in outstanding form before suffering the injury, now requires a more minor operation than had been initially feared.

Bojan, pictured celebrating after scoring the opener, is checked on by Marko Arnautovic after going down

Bojan celebrates the opening goal as Stoke took a firm grip on the FA Cup tie right from kick-off

He will be operated on in the Deixus hospital in Barcelona and he will then begin his recuperation in Catalonia.