Kitson is Stoke's joint top scorer so far this season with three goals

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes striker Dave Kitson's loan move to Middlesbrough will allow him to rediscover his early-season form.

The former Reading forward, 29, remains the Potters' joint-top scorer this season with three goals.

Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: "The big thing for Dave is to score goals and get his confidence back."

Kitson has joined Boro on a two-month loan deal and could make his debut against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Speaking about how fans would view the decision to loan out the club's top scorer, Pulis added: "Supporters have their own opinions and you have to respect them.

"But you have to take everything under consideration as a manager. You know exactly what's going on and sometimes more than people outside the football club."

Midfielder Michael Tonge left the club to join Preston on loan on Thursday and Pulis hopes both players will benefit from regular first-team football.

"They need to play games," Pulis continued. "They're experienced players, they've been turning up and not playing and then they get frustrated and annoyed."

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