Both players have been instrumental in the Potters' unbeaten run through September, which has helped them recover from three straight losses at the start of the season.
Defender Shawcross received his only senior international call-up for the friendly against Egypt in March, when he was an unused substitute, while Etherington is hoping to be involved for the first time.
England manager Fabio Capello will name his squad on Monday for the clash on October 12, when England will be hoping to make it three wins from three qualifiers.
Pulis said: "In my opinion they must be very, very close. I'm not going to tell Capello who to pick, that's up to him and he's an experienced enough manager to know his own mind. But the two lads haven't done themselves any harm at all."
Winger Etherington, 29, has been a revelation since moving from West Ham to Stoke in January 2009 and was named the club's player of the year for last season.
"Matty's been exceptional," continued Pulis. "He's got everything you could want. He's quick, he's got good feet and he doesn't half work hard for the team."
Shawcross has taken on added responsibility this season after Pulis made him captain, and the Stoke boss is hoping the 22-year-old will blossom into the role.
Pulis said: "I gave it to him to really take him on to the next level. Ryan's a very quiet lad and you just hope he grows with the captaincy and comes out of that shell a little bit. As he grows older and more experienced, that will become a strength of his as a leader."
Although Pulis has no doubts the pair are good enough to make the jump to international football, he knows they a battling against an established order that makes it harder for players from outside the Premier League elite to break through.
"It's always been the case," he added. "If you're with a top side and you're playing well, especially the English set-up, I think you'll always have a better chance than if you're with an unfashionable club."
Shawcross and Etherington have their final chance to impress Capello before the international break when Stoke take on Blackburn at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
The Potters were expected to be without striker Ricardo Fuller for the clash after he dislocated his shoulder during last Sunday's 2-1 win at Newcastle but Pulis revealed the Jamaican is making good progress and he might consider risking him against Rovers.
"We don't think Ric is as bad as we initially thought," said Pulis. "Fingers crossed he might have an outside chance for Saturday. I'm hoping he'll be fit and I'll be telling him he'll have two weeks to recover after the game."
If Fuller does not make it, Pulis can at least take comfort in the knowledge he has a number of other options, having brought in a trio of strikers - Kenwyne Jones, Jonathan Walters and Eidur Gudjohnsen - this summer.
Jones, a club-record £8million signing from Sunderland, has been the most impressive so far and has scored in all of his last four matches, but it is the strength in depth that most pleases Pulis.
He said: "We have more options. We have more game changers than we have had since I've been at the football club, which is what you need. The squad is vital. It's not the 11 you pick each week, it's the squad that takes you through."
Source: Team Talk
Source: Team Talk