MATTHEW Etherington rounded off one of his toughest weeks as a professional footballer by signing a new contract at Stoke City . . . and then expressed the hope that he can improve upon his outstanding performances of last season.
The 28-year-old winger put pen to paper on a four-year agreement which secures his long-term future at the Britannia Stadium after returning from eight days of gruelling pre-season fitness work at the Club's training camp in Austria.
Etherington now has his sights set on making an even bigger impact in the coming season after scooping many of the Player of the Year Awards at the end of a 2009-10 campaign in which he had hopes of an England call-up at one stage.
"My aim now is to improve upon last season's performances and certainly the work we've done in the past week or so will stand me in good stead for that," commented the former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United player.
"That was one of the hardest weeks I've ever experienced in football, but I am sure I will benefit from all the fitness work over the coming months."
He added: "It's been a fantastic couple of years for me here, so I was more than happy to sign a new contract. It's taken time to sort out, but these things do.
"I am confident that we can go on to bigger and better things and I want to play my part by improving upon what I achieved last season.
"The gaffer has been brilliant, there's a great bunch of lads in the dressing room and it's been fantastic playing in front of a packed Britannia Stadium. So there was never any doubt in my mind that I wanted to secure my future at this Club."
Etherington had reached an agreement with the Club over the new contract before he flew out to the training camp in Austria, a deal which leaves manager Tony Pulis confident that the winger can build upon his success last season.
"The lad can now concentrate on what he does best and that is showing people he is a top, top player," commented Pulis. "He is one of a number of players who must feel that opportunity knocks following England's performance in the World Cup.
"Natural left wingers are like gold-dust and we are fortunate to have one of the best in the Premier League who has shown that with his performances for us."
