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Stoke optimistic Etherington will make FA Cup final

Matthew Etherington may yet get another chance to grace the Wembley pitch © PA Photos

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Stoke City are increasingly confident Matthew Etherington will be fit to play against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, despite definitely missing this weekend's Premier League game against Arsenal.

Etherington played a key role in the semi-final victory over Bolton last month, but was subsequently sidelined by a hamstring tear just nine days later in a league game against Wolves - an injury that made him a major doubt for the Wembley showpiece.

But Stoke assistant manager Dave Kemp revealed on Friday that the former Tottenham and West Ham winger has now returned to light training, and will be available for the final if his recovery progresses as hoped.

"Matthew was out on the training pitch and is ready to do some more work to build himself up - hopefully he will be ready for Wembley," Kemp said. "I just hope we can get it done in the timeframe available.

"We are feeling positive at the moment and he is progressing very nicely. The fitness is improving every day."

However, Kemp confirmed that Etherington will play no part in the game against Arsenal on Sunday, eliminating any chance of him being eased back into first team action before the game against Manchester City.

"He will not make the game this weekend but we are still eight days away from the FA Cup final," Kemp said. "When he did it everybody was a bit down - Matthew included, but with every day he has seen more light at the end of the tunnel.

"Matthew has been improving each day but you can only take these things as they come.

"A lot of time has been spent in our hydrotherapy pool and the sight of him doing some light training outside has provided a real lift for everyone."

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