Skip to main content

Stoke and Man City wait on injuries

Stoke City winger Matthew Etherington (hamstring) and defender Robert Huth (knee) are doubts for Saturday's FA Cup Final against Manchester City, the club said.

Defender Danny Higginbotham and striker Ricardo Fuller have already been ruled out of the club's first appearance in the Wembley showpiece.

"We have had a bad run of injuries over the past few weeks which is frustrating but it didn't hamper us on Sunday when we beat Arsenal," Stoke manager Tony Pulis said on the club website referring to their 3-1 Premier League win.

Manchester City will give captain Carlos Tevez a late fitness test before the FA Cup Final when the world's richest club will be trying to win their first silverware for 35 years, manager Roberto Mancini told a news conference.

Koscielny's absence opens the door for Thomas Vermaelen to make his first appearance after nine months out with Wenger saying: "I have not completely decided yet but there is a probability he will start."

"Wayne Rooney caught me in the top of my hip quite early in the game so I had a scan on Monday but I am totally fine," he told Chelsea TV. "I just have a bit of bruising and it is okay now and I will be okay for the weekend."