Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones has hit back at pundits that have criticised his goalscoring contribution over recent months.

The 28-year-old has scored just eight goals since August 2011, four of which came in the Europa League last season.

However, Jones has insisted that his return of goals has not been helped by a lack of starting opportunities.

"I don't know if anybody noticed, I didn't really play in the league. I was just getting a few cameos, 10 minutes or whatever," he told The Sentinel. "I was playing in the Europa League and I was scoring in that. When I don't score, I believe I contribute massively to the cause, so I haven't been low on confidence.

"It is frustrating that I don't get to score, but the way we play I don't think we create bags and bags of chances.

"So it is tough and it is frustrating when you get that half chance and don't score in a game. I just keep working hard and trying to score the odd chance or two."

Jones joined the Potters from Sunderland in the summer of 2010.