Dave Kitson has praised the Stoke City supporters and believes they have had a massive role to play in his return to form at the start of the season.

Kitson, 29, endured a miserable first campaign with the Premier League side after a £5.5m move from Reading.

"I've never heard a bad word from them, I've never had arguments with them and all they say to me is positive things," the striker told BBC Radio Stoke.

"They're brilliant. They're honest people and they're decent people."

Kitson added: "If you're wearing a Stoke shirt, they want to see you do well for their club, no matter who you are, and when you do, the world is definitely a happier place."

After failing to find the net in his first six months with the Potters, Kitson rejoined his former club Reading on loan for three months, during which time Stoke finished 12th in their first season back in the top-flight for 23 years.

The former Cambridge front man returned to the Britannia Stadium with a fresh outlook and after a promising pre-season, during which Kitson scored three times, he was back in the first-team squad.

He scored his first goal for the club in the 1-0 win at Leyton Orient in the Carling Cup on 26 August, and followed that up with the only goal in a 1-0 success over Sunderland in the Premier League.

"It's all about encouragement and I've certainly had that since I've come back. I've been welcomed back with open arms by everyone," stated Kitson.

"Some players you have to nurture, and I'm one of those players that needs to be told when they're doing well."

Kitson will face competition for his starting place from James Beattie, who has recovered from a knee injury and is expected to be fit for the visit of Chelsea on Saturday.

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