Bojan Krkic: On his way back to fitness

Stoke City striker Bojan Krkic is confident he will be fit for the start of the new season.

The 24-year-old suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the FA Cup tie at Rochdale in January, curtailing what had been a promising first season in English football.

The former Barcelona player has undergone an extensive rehabilitation programme in Spain and believes he is on course to be ready for the season opener against Liverpool on the weekend of August 8-9.

Bojan told Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport: "I feel better, it's been four-and-a-half months from that knee injury. Now I'm enhancing muscle tone and I hope to return in time for the start of the season."

Prior to his injury at Spotland, Bojan, who joined on a £3m deal from Barcelona last summer, scored five goals in 18 games. He is eager to get back into action and repay the faith shown in him by manager Mark Hughes.

"Before the injury I was playing with continuity in a competitive league - and thanks to Mark Hughes finally I was used in my role, not like in Italy," said Bojan, who has also played for Milan, Roma and Ajax.

"I am a striker or at least a playmaker behind the front man, certainly not a wide man but with Rome and Milan, I was only playing on the wings. I can do it, I did do it, but it's not the same thing."