Stoke City attacker Xherdan Shaqiri has disputed claims he lives a poor lifestyle.

The diminutive Swiss missed a substantial part of the season, eventually being unavailable from January to mid-April, when initial reports suggested he would only miss one week.

Speaking to The Sentinel, Shaqiri dismissed his absence had anything to do with his lifestyle.

"These are reproaches which really anger me," said the 25-year old.

"People who don't know about professional competency came up with this fluffins. Once a player is injured they say lifestyle change. This is absolute kabis.

"In Manchester, where I live, you cannot go anywhere without being photographed by paparazzi. A dubious lifestyle? It's the opposite – I even got help from Germany.

"I have privately hired a physiotherapist and athletic trainer. They flew from Germany to work with me and helped me back."