Kitson going nowhere, says Coates

Kitson is yet to score in 15 appearances for the Potters

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has said striker Dave Kitson will not be leaving the Potters in January.

Kitson has failed to score since joining City for a club record £5.5m from Reading in July and is rumoured to be unsettled at the Britannia Stadium.

But Coates told BBC Radio Stoke: "We don't want to offload him, we think he's a very good player.

"Like all strikers, he needs a goal. Pressures can build but I'm sure he'll get there eventually."

Coates also confirmed the Potters will spend in the January transfer window in a bid to preserve their Premier League status.

606: DEBATE A good player, works his socks off and is being played out of position. He will come good once he gets a goal or two The Lads FULLER Goals

"The start we've had means survival is in our hands," said Coates.

"We will be trying to strengthen in the January window and hopefully, with a bit of luck, we'll stay up."

Meanwhile, Coates also said the search is ongoing for a replacement for George Foster, who left his job as Stoke's academy director to take up a role with Glenn Hoddle's soccer school.

"It's a big appointment because it's a difficult job and suitable candidates are hard to find," said Coates.

"We have one or two people in mind who we think are good candidates."