Winger exit denied

Stoke boss Tony Pulis says Matthew Etherington still has a future at the club and is back knocking on the first-team door.

Etherington has struggled to win a place in the Potters side after suffering a dip in form, while arrival of Michael Kightly has not helped his chances of winning his place back. There have been suggestion the former Tottenham man could be moved on, something which has been denied by Pulis, who says the winger is still in his future plans. "Matty has had a dip in form and there are lot of reasons why that can happen," Pulis said. "But, over the past couple of weeks in training, he has really looked back to his best and I can't wait to get him back into the team. "Irrespective of what people might be saying, Matty has got a massive future at this football club. A fit, dynamic and athletic Matthew Etherington is something we haven't got elsewhere in the squad. His ability to run with the ball, let alone his crossing ability and his value at set pieces, has been something crucial to the team over the years."