Sunderland-Stoke City Preview

Aug 27, 2009 - 5:26 PM GEOFF McALLISTER STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Stoke manager Tony Pulis has backed misfiring striker Dave Kitson to break his Premier League duck against Sunderland on Saturday after ending his year-long wait for a first goal for the club.

Kitson has endured a miserable time since becoming Stoke's record 5.5 million pounds signing from Reading last summer.

He repaid Pulis for keeping faith with him by netting a stoppage time winner during Tuesday's League Cup victory over Leyton Orient.

Pulis said: "Dave has been unlucky at times but the supporters have stuck with him and they will be chuffed to pieces for him.

"They have been fantastic with Dave Kitson. I've never known a player go so long without a goal and still have the supporters stay behind him like that.

"He's got his head down, looked sharp and now I hope this will have a knock-on effect and he'll score more goals.

"That one was certainly worthy of winning the game."

Kitson will have extra competition for a starting place with Stoke expected to complete a combined 11 million pounds double deal for Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth and striker Tuncay.

Stoke assistant manager Peter Reid expects centre back Huth to prove to be a bargain at six million pounds.

Reid said: "Robert Huth has tremendous attributes and would be a quality acquisition.

"I've followed his progress since he came over from Germany to Chelsea and he's a very good player.

"He's a big, powerful boy who is good in the air, and he has great feet as well. He's had a few injuries, but he appears to be putting them behind him."

Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon hopes to hang onto his starting spot after making his comeback from a knee injury during Monday's League Cup win at Norwich.

Marton Fulop has asserted himself as Sunderland's Premier League number one but Scotland international Gordon said: "I was pleased with the way my comeback went.

"I wasn't sure what to expect from my knee in my first game back and I suppose I was a little bit tentative with my kicking to start with, but as the game went on I got more confident as I realised the knee is back to normal.

"It was good to be back playing again. It was about four months since my last game so it was great to be back out there and playing a part in the win at Norwich.

"I made a couple of saves in the first half and it is always good to do that early on, just to get your confidence going again.

"I've been on the bench for the first three league games of the season but I think I was really a bit ahead of schedule at that stage."

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce expects a busy conclusion to the transfer window after admitting an interest is bringing Hull defender Michael Turner to the Stadium of Light.

Bruce said: "It is difficult to talk about individual players but we have registered an interest in the boy Turner."