Injury concerns for Stoke

Stoke City have injury doubts over winger Matthew Etherington and forward Jonathan Walters for Tuesday’s clash at home to Fulham.

Etherington was substituted after taking a kick on the knee and Walters suffered a blow on his shoulder during Boxing Day’s 2-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers.Stoke manager Tony Pulis said: “We don’t think there is any serious damage to either of them, but the question is can they recover in time? We are hopeful but we will have to see.”Tuncay Sanli could be handed his first start since Stoke lost at Sunderland eight games ago if Etherington fails to come through, while Ricardo Fuller is likely to be recalled in place of Walters in any event.Stoke will start as firm favourites to heap further misery on a Fulham team which dropped into the relegation zone after Sunday’s home defeat by fellow strugglers West Ham.But Pulis believes Mark Hughes’ team are in a false position and has warned his players against complacency.”Fulham are fighting for their lives and they have a lot of quality players,” Pulis said.”I’m tipping them to start climbing the table very soon and we’ve got to do our utmost to make sure that process doesn’t start tomorrow.”We will have a full house and a great atmosphere and another three points would make it a great Christmas for our supporters and everyone else involved with the club.”

Mon 27 December, 2010