Stoke boss Tony Pulis to keep faith with misfiring strike pair Fuller and Beattie

Tony Pulis has backed James Beattie and Ricardo Fuller to end their goal droughts and start firing Stoke up the Premier League.

Beattie, 31, hammered seven goals in 16 games after a £3.5m move from Sheffield United in January but has only scored twice this term.

Jamaica international Fuller, 30, was Stoke's leading scorer last season with 11 goals but has not found the net so far this campaign.

And Pulis has sent out Dave Kitson on loan to Middlesbrough - even though he remains their joint leading scorer.

But the Stoke boss insists his strike pair will rediscover their scoring touch and help push the Potters away from the relegation zone.

He said: “James arguably scored the goals that kept us in the league last season but he has been unfortunate with a few injuries.

“He is very streaky in respect to his goals so fingers crossed that he can get a few in the next few weeks.

“Ric may not have scored but I actually think he's playing better this year than he did the last.

“I’ve got no doubts that both of them will start firing again soon. You have to get at least two of your players in double figures and hopefully James and Ric will do that for us.”

Kitson, 29, has completed a two-month loan move to Boro with a view to a permanent switch in the New Year.

The £5.5m striker appeared to have rescued his Stoke career in the summer but has fallen down the pecking order again.

Pulis added: “Dave has been in good form for us this season, but he has spent a lot of time on the bench recently and so this is a great opportunity for him to get matches under his belt.”