Even if it is from Radio Stoke http://twitter.com/#!/johnacresbbc/status/63271668180725762 Scan reveals tear in #Etherington's hamstring. But it doesn't sound like a really bad one. More on 94.6fm at 1720 with me and Amy.
Not ruled out yet according to Dave Kemp, just on Radio Stoke. Matty's hamstring not snapped and is currently on ice.
Mighty huth rocks, Hahaha! Sarge, This news has made my day. When i heard it wad a strecher job i literally cried. 'd rather it been a boring 0-0 than a 3-0 and crippled Ethers. He's GOT to play in that final!
Acres tweeted this a few hours back: http://twitter.com/#!/johnacresbbc/status/63280115576090624 #SCFC will use an oxygen tent and sugar injections to try and get #Etherington fit for final. He has a hamstring tear but it isn't snapped.
Posted this on 606 Hope I'm proved wrong Gutted to say the least. Given that the club have stated through Mr Kemp that Matty has torn his hamstring, how can they say he has any chance of making the final. A torn hamstring is three months minimum. Now if they are being economical with the use of the word tear, then fair enough, but even a pulled hamstring is generally 4 to 6 weeks. I just can't see that he has any chance whatsoever. The other issues to me is that even if by some miracle he recovered quickly, then there is no chance of him being fit to play in a final after a hamstring tear. Important as he is, playing half fit players is always a bad idea. Personally, I feel the FA Cup Final is a massive stage for Stoke to showcase the club. The last transfer window ended pretty disastrously in my view and part of the reasoning was the negative media and the perception that the club played one dimensional football. Some players will have turned down the club on that alone. The semi against Bolton, the 4 0 against Newcastle and last nights demolition of Wolves has started to redress that perception a bit. However if we go to the final in front of a global audience and play badly and negatively then the tag will stick for a long time to come and may affect Tony's ability to improve the squad. Thats why the current injuries are so ill timed as removing skilful players from our FA Cup final team, don't just affect our chances of winning but of moving the club forward. Happy to be shot down in flames-just my twopenneth
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/9475740.stm? Stoke winger Matthew Etherington is ahead of schedule in his recovery from injury, BBC Radio Stoke understands. However, it is still very doubtful that the 29-year-old will be able to feature in the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on 14 May. Etherington tore his hamstring in the 3-0 win over Wolves on 26 April. He was expected to be out for four to six weeks, but he is progressing well after several days of intensive work with the Potters' medical staff. Since sustaining the injury, Etherington has been running in a hydrotherapy pool and also spent time in an oxygen chamber to aid his recovery. Manager Tony Pulis has said he is prepared to give the former Tottenham and West Ham winger a fitness test on the day of the final to give him every possible chance of being involved. Etherington was in the Hammers team that lost to Liverpool on penalties in the 2006 final at the Millennium Stadium. Stoke defender Marc Wilson, who was unable to play for Portsmouth in the 2010 final because of a hamstring injury, has sympathy for his team-mate. "It's not a good position to be in," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "Hopefully Matty can get himself back, we're all hoping he does because he's a terrific player for us." Etherington, who won Stoke's player of the year award for the 2009/10 campaign, has scored six goals in 38 appearances this season and has been a key figure in the Potters' rise into the top half of the Premier League. He also scored the opening goal in the 5-0 semi-final victory over Bolton.
A couple of things Kempy said about Matty in the press conference this morning: @Stoketshirts Stoketshirts.co.uk Kempy says Matty - good to see him back in training. Won't be fit for sunday, medical team will continue to work on him @Stoketshirts Stoketshirts.co.uk Kempys says Matty - training every day, he's more upbeat as days have gone on and everyones feeling more positive. It doesnt mean he'll play
