Stoke boss Tony Pulis has revealed a problem with Matthew Etherington's jaw-line is causing a back injury.
Jaw-line problem is affecting winger's alingment
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has revealed that a problem with Matthew Etherington's jaw-line is causing the winger to suffer from a back injury.
The 29-year-old is expected to be available for Wednesday's trip to Arsenal despite being substituted inside the first half of Saturday's 3-0 FA Cup win over Brighton.
Etherington returned to Stoke's starting line-up after missing the defeat at Birmingham last weekend due to a hamstring complaint.
But Pulis has confirmed that the wide-man is now experiencing problems because of an issue with his jaw that the club's medical staff are assessing.
"He's okay - it's more his jaw-line which is affecting his back than anything else," the manager said.
Cramp
"He has got a defect in his jaw and we have got a specialist to do a jaw brace for him.
"We are hoping the alignment will be sorted out and Matty will be all right from then on."
Pulis continued: "His back will stiffen up sometimes because the alignment in his spine is just a little bit over, and apparently it has all come from his jaw-line. It amazes me.
"I think a lot of people now wear them (a brace) and I think a lot of clubs get people tested.
"The first thing our medical staff do is look at the back. It is so important - they look to make sure the alignment is right because that can affect hamstrings, calf muscles, cramping in the back.
"Being old-fashioned, it amazes me, but if it works, let's get it done."
