Stoke City winger Matthew Etherington has blasted claims he's started gambling again.

Stoke's matchwinner against Norwich said such claims were untrue and that he has not placed a bet for two and a half years.

Etherington said: "I've heard a few people talking and shouting their mouths off as usual but no, I've not gambled in two and a half years. I'm not gambling and I'm very happy.

"I'm not going to go into it but I've heard a few people talking, they put two and two together and make five sometimes. Just because my form's not been as good as it has the last two years at this football club doesn't mean that I'm gambling again, I'm not.

"You get on with it and now hopefully after this goal it'll be a bit of a boost."