Tottenham loanee Ashley Phillips suffers another injury setback as he is stretchered off on international duty

Phillips has endured a wretched run with injuries since joining Stoke City

The defender has had just 133 minutes of action across four substitute outings in the Championship this term

Ashley Phillips has been stretchered off while on international duty with Wales Under-21s, casting doubt over his immediate future at Stoke City.

The defender suffered an ankle injury after 25 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to Austria in Wiener Neustadt on Tuesday night and was replaced by Tyrese Francois.

The extent of the problem is not yet known although Phillips, who has not started a game for Stoke since joining on loan from Burnley in the summer, was helped off the field and could not put any weight on his right leg.

It is yet another injury setback for the 21-year-old, who has struggled to make an impact at the bet365 Stadium since arriving on a season-long loan.

Phillips was drafted in as cover for Harry Souttar but has had just 133 minutes of action across four substitute outings in the Championship this term.

Alex Neil had been hoping to send Phillips out on loan again in January but this latest setback is likely to make that unfeasible.

Phillips has had a wretched run with injuries since joining the Potters and will be desperate to get back to full fitness as soon as possible.

He has been capped 12 times by Wales at youth level and will be hoping to make his senior debut in the near future.