Stoke City boss Tony Pulis admits Dave Kitson needs a goal.

"He just needs a goal," insists Pulis. "He just needs one to come off his backside and then he will be up and running.

"Robbie Keane got one at Liverpool and all of a sudden he's walking around with a different bounce.

"Confidence is such a massive thing for all players in all positions, but especially for strikers. The longer they go without a goal the more down in the dumps they get.

"We are hoping he gets one soon to take that weight off his shoulders. But Dave is an experienced lad who's been around the block a few times and he knows the score.

"Sometimes it is easy running down mountains, but running up them requires a lot more character and that's what Dave has got to do."