Kitson not at Boro to stay

Nov 21 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

DAVE Kitson admits he has no intention of turning his loan move from Stoke into a permanent deal at the Riverside – so as not to upset his wife.

Kitson has moved swiftly to clarify his position at Middlesbrough as he prepares to make his debut against Nottingham Forest today and is adamant it will only be a temporary move before he returns to try and win his place back at Stoke.

The striker’s Potters move has been a major letdown and the ex-Reading player has scored just three goals in 26 appearances following a £5.5million move from the Madjeski Stadium in July 2008.

But he does not appear to have any interest in looking for a move to Teesside to rebuild his career – insisting football would only ever be a job to him.

He said: “It’s an opportunity to play half a dozen games to get my match fitness back up and get back to Stoke to try and force my way back in there.

“I’ve heard good things about the manager here and everyone speaks very highly of him. He works the lads hard in training and it’s a good standard and enjoyable.

“Am I flexible? No. Not really. It’s six weeks and I’ll try 100% to do my very, very best to leave them in a good situation.

“But I signed a contract at Stoke and my aim is to get back in that first team. I thought I’d done it at the start of the season and I’ll try and do it again.

“Personally there are reasons why moving here, this far away from where I’m from, would be difficult for me at this stage of my career. With a wife and a family it’s not just about me anymore. I’d have moved here in a flash before.