FIT-AGAIN Matthew Etherington is refusing to give up on his World Cup chances as he attempts to impress club and country at home to Aston Villa tomorrow (3pm).

The Stoke winger was believed to be in Fabio Capello’s thoughts when the England manager came to watch the Potters’ FA Cup fifth-round tie at Manchester City on February 13.

But the 28-year-old was stretchered off after damaging his medial knee ligaments 14 minutes into the game.

That cost him any chance of making England’s friendly with Egypt last Wednesday, although his team-mate Ryan Shawcross was called into the squad for the first time.

Etherington returned to action in Stoke’s 1-1 draw at Burnley on Wednesday and is hoping to improve his international chances against Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa.

But the former West Ham winger accepts time could be against him.

England have no more friendlies before Capello names a provisional 28-man squad for the World Cup on May 16.

The winger said: “I don’t know if I would have got the chance had I not been injured.

“It goes through my head, especially with Ryan being called up.

“It was the worst possible time to get injured. I knew the England manager was at the game and in the first 10 minutes I felt sharp and thought I was going to put in a good performance.

“But I can’t do anything about it and I can’t let it get to me.

“If I can make him notice me again and come to another game, then who knows? But I am not getting my hopes up.”

Etherington was delighted that Shawcross’s efforts were recognised by a first England call-up, even though the 22-year-old defender was an unused substitute for the Egypt game.

Etherington has played for England Under-21s, but never for the senior side.

He says Shawcross’s promotion shows that Capello is prepared to look beyond the ‘big teams’ for players.

He said: “By calling up Ryan, the manager showed English players in the Premier League that if you are performing well every week, you have a chance.”

However, Etherington’s main priority is to play well for Stoke for the final two months of the campaign and help to ensure City’s survival.

Injury-hit City face a huge challenge against a Villa side who have only lost once in their last 14 games.

Stoke will give late fitness tests to Ricardo Fuller, who has a back problem, and Rory Delap, who has a foot injury. They have joined Danny Higginbotham, Glenn Whelan and Salif Diao on the casualty list.

STOKE’S Premier League game at Fulham has been arranged for Wednesday, April 14 (8pm).

The game was originally scheduled for Saturday March 6, but was postponed from March 6 because both teams were in the FA Cup.