Stoke City's ex-Reading pair Dave Kitson and Ibrahima Sonko admit that this season is make-or-break for them at the Brit.

"I had a conversation with him the other day and said it is time to show why we are here," Sonko told The Sentinel. "I said it is time to show we were worth the call-up. He said 'yes, you are right.'

"It has taken us a year to get used to Stoke and the way it works. Now there is no excuse.

"He has got to get used to the way we are playing here in a position where he isn't really playing up front. He isn't the sort to run and run because he likes the ball to feet.

"If the manager gets the ball more to his feet, he will be a better player."