Kitson became Stoke's record signing when he joined for �5.5m in July
Stoke City goalkeeper Steve Simonsen has dismissed speculation that striker Dave Kitson is unhappy at the club.
Reports have suggested that Kitson, who joined Stoke from Reading in July, has not settled in the North of England and is looking for a transfer.
Simonsen told BBC Radio Stoke: "It takes time for all footballers to settle into a new club.
"Most of the guys here have played for other clubs and we always welcome new players with open arms."
The Potters have so far struggled in their first season as a Premier League club, taking just four points from their opening seven games, and Simonsen said the players know how hard avoiding relegation will be.
"We know it's going to be a long, hard season so we know we've got to knuckle down and make sure we get the best for the club."
The 29-year-old has found his first-team opportunities to be limited since the arrival of Thomas Sorensen, but said that competition for places is good for all players.
"When players who have consistently played at a high level come into a club then they better the players that are already there.
"But the players who are already there want to show they are as good as the new players, and in our case that can only benefit Stoke City."
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