The England international has only scored five goals in the Premier League this season and the club have managed just one win in their past nine outings.

Crouch had recently apologised to the Stoke supporters and vowed to turn his form around but Pulis reckons the blame should lie with the striker's team-mates.

"Crouchie is more set now than he was a month ago and settled down. He has no problems whatsoever," Pulis said.

"I've looked at the stats and the videos and you have to give the forwards an opportunity to score goals.

"If there's one weakness, it is that we have not got any end products - and you cannot blame the forwards for that.

"It's a little lack of confidence. When we started the season we had a better balance than we have now but we have to turn things around."

Stoke travel to St James' Park on Sunday hoping to claim a rare away win against a resurgent Newcastle.