STOKE duo Marc Wilson and Matthew Etherington could have played their last game of the season after being laid low by injury.
And striker Cameron Jerome is an early doubt for Saturday's clash against Norwich after injuring his ankle during last weekend's win at QPR.
Wilson limped off with a recurrence of hamstring trouble at QPR, while Etherington is still under treatment for the back problem which has sidelined him for Stoke's last two-and-a-half games.
"Both of them are having intensive treatment and it's a case of keeping everything crossed for them," said boss Tony Pulis.
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And Etherington has been hit so hard by intermittent fitness concerns throughout the campaign that his longest run in the side was 10 games during November and December.
Indeed, the pair have only started three league games together on the left-hand side this season... a damning statistic that explains many of Stoke's problems.
They lined up together on the opening day of the season at Reading, then at Fulham in Wilson's comeback game in February, and again in the recent home defeat by Aston Villa.
But Etherington was subbed midway through the first half at Fulham and then forced to retire at half-time against Villa.
"Yes, they have been a miss, there's no denying that," Pulis admitted. "I think we have particularly missed Matty in our home games because of the pace he has to stretch teams.
"I still maintain that there's few, if any, better players of his type when he's fit and firing. That's why it's imperative we get him playing again."
Jerome, meanwhile, has been forced to have a cortisone injection in his ankle to ensure his season doesn't end prematurely with four fixtures still remaining.
The 26-year-old striker, who has started five of Stoke's last seven games, played his part in Saturday's 2-0 win at QPR after Pulis re-introduced his pace into the team to trouble the central defensive pairing of Clint Hill and Christopher Samba.
Norwich, whose win over Reading last weekend was only their second in 17 league games, could have England keeper John Ruddy in goal when they visit the Britannia on Saturday.
Ruddy, back in reserve-team action after five months out following thigh surgery, is pressuring Mark Bunn for his old first-team slot.
He is trying to raise £10,000 for the Donna Louise Children's Hospice. Donation can be made on-line at www.justgiving.com/markoconnor-VLM2013
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