Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has no concerns over the form of winger Matthew Etherington.

The 30-year-old has struggled to hit top form since suffering a hamstring tear in last season's FA Cup semi-final victory over Bolton at Wembley.

But Pulis believes it is only a matter of time before he is back to his best.

"I used to have sugar in my tea and my coffee and now they're sticking it in people's backs and legs and everything else so the world's changed. But I don't mind as long as it works and gets them on the pitch," he said.

"I think Matty's the type of player who goes up and down in his form anyway. We're desperate to get him back to the fitness level that he was at and back playing as well as he did last year. I don't think he's at that level yet but give him time."