Etherington: Recovering from addiction and rebuilding

Etherington: I'm so grateful Pulis took a gamble on me
By Dave Smith

Matthew Etherington has thanked Tony Pulis for ­helping him win the biggest battle of his life.

A gambling addiction cost the Stoke winger a fortune, and almost cost him his ­career, too.

But, with the support of his understanding boss – and his family – Etherington is enjoying his football and his life again.

Despite Thursday’s Europa League defeat to Valencia, Etherington is confident of avoiding an FA Cup banana skin on Sunday. Last season’s cup run all the way to the final has given Stoke a taste of the big time.