Etherington: Faces race to be fit for FA Cup final after suffering a tear to the hamstring
Stoke assistant boss Dave Kemp says the club remain hopeful injured winger Matthew Etherington will be able to make the FA Cup final.
The winger was left devastated after he pulled up injured and had to be stretchered off in the crucial 3-0 win over Wolves on Tuesday.
A scan has subsequently revealed a tear to the hamstring and the winger faces a race against time to face Manchester City in the 14th May Wembley showpiece.
But Kemp has not given up hope Etherington will be able to play, believing modern technologies will give him a chance.
“The scan has shown there is a tear on the hamstring, so that’s not the best news. But we are doing everything we can to get him ready for the final. “
Dave Kemp Quotes of the week
The Stoke assistant boss told The Sentinel: “The scan has shown there is a tear on the hamstring, so that’s not the best news. But we are doing everything we can to get him ready for the final.
“Initially we have iced down the injury, but then we can use oxygen chambers and every remedy we possibly can to shorten the recovery time.”
While admitting the absence of the winger would be a big blow in unlocking Roberto Mancini’s side, Kemp wanted to remain positive about the situation.
He added: “Matt has been fantastic for us and is a fabulous talent. If he doesn’t play he will be a big miss and it would be terrible for him personally. He is a great lad, as well as a fantastic player.
“But we haven’t given up on him playing. You can look at these things negatively or positively – and we are being positive.
“We are still a little in the unknown. The injury was only on Tuesday, so we have to see how it settles.”
