Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has assured Matthew Etherington that he has a future at the club.
The winger has fallen down the pecking order at the Britannia Stadium this season following Michael Kightly's summer move from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, Pulis insists that the former West Ham United midfielder is still valued in the squad.
"Irrespective of what people might be saying, Matty has got a massive future at this football club," he told the Stoke Sentinel.
"Matty has had a dip in form and there are a lot of reasons why players can lose form.
"A fit, dynamic and athletic Matthew Etherington is something we haven't got elsewhere in the squad."
Stoke continue their Premier League campaign on Saturday when they host Swansea City.
