Pulis won't sell winger

Tony Pulis has stated he has no plans to let Matthew Etherington leave Stoke despite his limited role in the first team this season.

The 31-year-old was a regular starter under Pulis last season but has seen his role diminish since the arrival of Michael Kightly from Wolves in the summer. The former West Ham winger has started just one Premier League match this term, leading to speculation his days at the Britannia Stadium could soon be coming to an end. Pulis has moved quickly to pour cold water on rumours linking Etherington with a move away from Stoke, claiming he still sees him as an important part of his squad. "Irrespective of what people might be saying, Matty has got a massive future at this football club," Pulis told the Stoke Sentinel. "Matty has had a dip in form and there are a lot of reasons why players can lose form. "A fit, dynamic and athletic Matthew Etherington is something we haven't got elsewhere in the squad."