Stoke City striker John Walters is successfully working his way back from injury after playing through the pain barrier for much of last season.

The 31-year-old forward revealed that a summer break has helped sort out his lingering knee tendon injury.

"It was probably a difficult season last year with my knee which has been a bit sore throughout the whole time," said the Republic of Ireland forward from the club's pre-season tour of Singapore.

"If I had taken a break it would have gone but I didn't, I left it until the summer.

"It was a bit of a tendon thing so it was a case of loading it up every week to play games – and sometimes two games every week with training, so having that four-week break after the internationals has settled it right down.

"It feels great now, completely better, and that's off my mind.

"I feel like I'm getting better and I think my form showed that last season."