MATTHEW ETHERINGTON could be in line for a shock return to Stoke City's first team squad for the FA Cup replay against Manchester City tonight.

Manager Tony Pulis revealed that the Potters plan to make a late check on the fitness of the in-form winger after he made a return to training sooner than expected this week.

Etherington was stretchered off in the first FA Cup tie at the City of Manchester Stadium 11 days ago amid fears that he had suffered a serious knee ligament injury.

But after a scan confirmed that there was no damage to the cruciate ligament, he has responded to treatment and rehabilitation work over the past few days.

"Matty is back in training and we'll see how he goes over the next 24 hours," said Pulis. "If all goes well, then he may have a late fitness test before the replay."

"He'll want to pick up where he left off before the injury, and an in-form Matthew Etherington will clearly be a big boost to us with two big games to come.

"But we won't rush things and risk jumping the gun. We'll take a long, hard look before deciding what is best on Wednesday evening. But there is a chance."

Pulis also indicated that the Potters will put defender Danny Higginbotham through a late fitness test on the back injury which forced him to miss the Portsmouth game.

He will be hoping that he is fit to take his place in a back four that will be missing suspended pair Abdoulaye Faye and Andy Wilkinson for the fifth round replay.