Last Updated: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:05
Matthew Etherington is set to be offered an improved Stoke contract after revealing he is winning his battle with a gambling addiction.
The Potters winger has been in fine form for Tony Pulis' side this term and reports suggest he is to be rewarded with a new deal at the Britannia Stadium soon.
The former West Ham ace, who revealed a few years ago he was struggling with a gambling addiction, has, in a frank interview with the Daily Mail, said he is now getting over his problem but still needs to attend group meetings twice a week in Birmingham.
''I've never really spoken about it, but I go twice a week to Gambling Anonymous in Birmingham," he said. "I'll do that for the rest of my life.
''You are just meeting like-minded people and you talk about things that help keep you off gambling. It has been a big help.
''I had to do something about it - and I've done that. Now I'd like to get on with my life. I would be the first to admit I had problems with gambling and I never hide that fact.
''My problems had been well documented and I would like to think they are long behind me now. I've got over that and come out the other side.''