Stoke City: Matthew Etherington in line for Norwich start

MATTHEW Etherington is giving boss Tony Pulis food for thought ahead of Saturday's trip to Norwich... thanks to the love of Stoke fans.

Etherington, who hasn't started a Premier League game since the opening Saturday, impressed during a late cameo against Sunderland last weekend.

And that leaves him knocking on the door for a place in the starting line-up this weekend if Pulis tinkers with his first 11.

"I thought he was very good last Saturday," said Pulis. "Over the last couple of weeks Matty has shown what he's all about.

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"He's very, very close to us thinking about starting with him again.

"I'm pleased he played well against Sunderland. Matty needs to be loved and I think he felt that love on Saturday.

"When he made a couple of runs, which the crowd always love to see, they really warmed to him.

"The crowd just love him when he runs at people and hopefully he can now get back to what he was a year ago."

Marc Wilson was due to undergo an operation on his broken leg today at the start of a recovery period that could see him back after three months if all goes well.

The Irish international was having corrective surgery on his left fibula after fracturing it when sliding awkwardly in a challenge against Sunderland's Steven Fletcher last Saturday.

Pulis was in Capital One Cup action this week after taking in Reading's tie against Arsenal on Tuesday and then spying on Norwich in last night's clash with Tottenham.

And he remains a big fan of Norwich's support and their stadium after watching from the stands at Carrow Road.

"Like us in many ways, I'm sure their home support is a huge factor in how well they do," said Pulis. "I believe they have a waiting list of around 4,000 for season tickets."