Pulis praise for Kitson

Stoke boss confident striker will come good

Last updated: 7th October 2008

Dave Kitson

Kitson: Yet to score for Stoke

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Tony Pulis has paid tribute to Dave Kitson and backed the striker to score his first goal for Stoke soon.

Kitson sealed a record £5.5million move to the Britannia Stadium from Reading over the summer but he has yet to open his account for his new club.

The 28-year-old missed a good chance in the 2-1 defeat to Portsmouth on Sunday but Pulis was nevertheless pleased with his overall performance.

The Potters boss has been impressed by Kitson since his arrival and believes the elusive goal will come if he continues to work hard.

"Obviously we are keen to him for score, but it's not the be all and end all with Dave Kitson," Pulis told The Sentinel.

"He has put a shift in for us in other areas of his game, linking the play and playing his part in our goal at Portsmouth. His time will come."

Fuller hope

Ricardo Fuller has enjoyed a brighter start to the season but he is currently on international duty with Jamaica.

Fuller picked up a knee injury with Jamaica in the summer and a mystery virus from his last visit home during September's round of worldwide internationals, and Pulis admits he is always worried about whether the forward will return to England fully fit.

"Whenever Ric is away, we are always keeping our fingers crossed," said Pulis.

"It's in the lap of the Gods. There's nothing we can do until we get him back, hopefully in one piece, because his recent record shows his value to us."