Winger Etherington signed from West Ham United for �1.8m in January

Stoke City winger Matthew Etherington believes the Potters will avoid relegation if they win their remaining four games at the Britannia Stadium.

Their 1-0 victory against Middlesbrough on Saturday lifted Stoke three points above the relegation zone.

"It's good psychologically to be out of the bottom three, but there's still a way to go," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It's down to us now. We've got some winnable games coming up at home. If we win them, we stay up."

Stoke's last four home fixtures of the Premier League season are against Newcastle, Blackburn, Wigan and West Ham.

Middlesbrough were right in there with us, but there's a nice little gap there now. It's just a case of capitalising on that and pushing up the table Stoke City winger Matthew Etherington

The former Tottenham and West Ham player believes winning against Middlesbrough was even more crucial because it extended the gap between the two teams to five points.

"It was a massive result," Etherington added. "It wasn't the prettiest of games, but the three points were all important.

"Middlesbrough were right in there with us, but there's a nice little gap there now. It's just a case of capitalising on that and pushing up the table."

The 27-year-old has made seven appearances for Stoke since joining from West Ham for £1.8m in January.

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