Dave Kitson is determined to make a success of his second chance with Stoke. The club's record £5.5million signing last summer failed to settle after his move from Reading and returned to the Royals on loan but returned to the Potters after the Berkshire club failed to win promotion.

"To be honest I'm looking forward to the new season a lot, I feel like I have just signed for Stoke," said the 29-year-old, who is currently at the club's training camp in Austria.

"For one reason or another last season was a disappointment for me here.

"I feel different now, I'm mixing with the lads, getting involved with everything, and I feel a lot fitter and sharper in training.

"I've mingled with the lads a lot better and maybe it was my fault that last year I put myself in a position where I wasn't very easily approachable, but now I have settled in and I'm very much looking forward to my time here."