Etherington

Valencia's goalscorer Mehmet Topal, left, battles for the ball with Stoke's Matthew Etherington.

Stoke City 0-1 Valencia | Europa League last-32 1st leg match report 2012

Mr. Etherington, who paid £150,000 for his first chalet, says: "The buying process was not easy, and at times very stressful, but it was possible with the help of interpreters - they're crucial to ensure all the documents you're reading have been accurately translated from Bulgarian to English and vice versa."

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Etherington was carried off on a stretcher after he collapsed in agony during Stoke's victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday, and the club's worst fears were realised when they received the scan results.

Stoke City's Matthew Etherington likely to miss FA Cup final 2011

Matthew Etherington missed the spot-kick but Grant intimated he felt that Jones had been swayed by the home fans after Frédéric Piquionne appeared to handle in the lead-up to the Hammers' opener in the first half.

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"But we'll leave no stone unturned to try to get Etherington fit."

Stoke City's Matthew Etherington likely to miss FA Cup final 2011

Tony Pulis, the Stoke manager, has refused to concede that Etherington is definitely out of the final and remains keen to give the 29-year-old, who has been one of the club's most influential players over the past couple of seasons, every opportunity to be fit to face Manchester City at Wembley on 14 May.

Stoke City's Matthew Etherington likely to miss FA Cup final 2011

Despite being second best in the first half, they kept themselves in it with wonderful individual goals from the former Tottenham player Matthew Etherington and Kenwyne Jones, and they had the better of the chances in the second half.

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Yet a torn hamstring can often take up to six weeks to heal, leaving Etherington with insufficient time to recover unless Stoke's medical team can perform a minor miracle.

Stoke City's Matthew Etherington likely to miss FA Cup final 2011

Matthew Etherington suffered the hamstring tear while sliding for the ball in the match against Wolves.

Stoke City's Matthew Etherington likely to miss FA Cup final 2011