Stoke City: I'm no fan of United... but I do respect them, says Fuller
Fuller goes to Old Trafford this weekend with five goals in the bag and plenty of plaudits ringing in his ear, while Kitson is hoping for his first league start in six and his first goal since that £5.5m move to Stoke in the summer.
"Dave is a fantastic player," says Fuller, "and let's not forget what he's done at Reading in the past. That's why he's at Stoke.
"He's got the potential. He's got a great left foot, great touch for a tall guy and a good work ethic. He just needs a goal to kick-start his season at Stoke.
"All the lads at Stoke mickey about. It's one of the ways to keep the vibe going to keep everybody happy.
"We know Dave isn't going through a good period and we try to support him to get him going. I'm sure he will be OK. Once he gets one goal he will be flying."
Fuller's appearance from the bench against Rotherham on Tuesday certainly helped inspire Kitson towards his most effective performance to date in a Stoke shirt.
The opposition will be slightly tougher this weekend, however, as Stoke travel to Old Trafford to face a team Fuller respects, but never supported as a kid.
"I supported Liverpool because of John Barnes," he reveals. "A lot of Jamaicans will be watching this weekend, especially as I'm playing against them and because there's a few Manchester United fans in Jamaica.
"I respect every single player they have. Every player pulling on a Manchester United shirt deserves their chance because Sir Alex Ferguson is probably the best coach ever in football.
"They are the best team in the world. Every player playing for Manchester United is a great player. I like the skill players, and I think Christiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world. He's got magical feet and scores great goals."
But not the best ever, he says, not by a long chalk. "No, Diego Maradona is the boss."
He admits Old Trafford is something special, however, and can't wait to tread the hallowed turf at the so-called Theatre of Dreams.
"To set foot on the same ground as all those great players from the past will be wonderful," he admits.
"When you are playing in the lower leagues you always want to play on the bigger ground – and scoring against Manchester United would mean everything to me."
His respect does not stray towards awe, however, as he stresses the possibility of Stoke returning from the north with far more than a few hard-luck pats on the back.
"At the end of the day we are 11 against 11 and we are all human beings.
"If you don't think you can go there and win, why play for Stoke City? We are not losers at Stoke City.
"You never know in football. Look at Burnley winning at Chelsea this week.
"The vibe is normal before every game, whether it is against Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool ... or Hull City and West Bromwich Albion. It doesn't matter who you play, it's three points."
Fuller's own form – scoring and otherwise – couldn't have been much better had he planned it himself at the start of the season, but he still insists he is just being himself and not trying to impress an audience of critics.
"I have said before I have nothing to prove and I've still got nothing to prove.
"No-one knows who Ricardo Fuller is, so there's no pressure. I'm not afraid to lose and I'm not afraid to miss a chance. I'm a Jamaican.
"We know we work hard at this football club and try to give our best. Hopefully, that's good enough. We have done well so far, but we know it is early days."
Sadly, his friend and one-time running partner Usain Bolt won't be out of the blocks in time to see this weekend's fixture, but there is an invitation to fly over for the Boxing Day return at the Britannia.
"I talked to him when I was over in Jamaica for the recent World Cup qualifying games against Honduras and Mexico," says Fuller of the double Olympic gold medallist.
"I saw him in the club dancing and drinking as usual," he grinned. "I said Stoke want you to come over. He supports Manchester United, so I will try to get him over for the Boxing Day fixture.
"I'm calling him, but I guess he's busy training. I'll talk to him next week when I go over to Jamaica for the game against Canada."
Victory over the Canadians will propel Jamaica towards South Africa 2010 if results elsewhere drop into place.
But it's chilly old Manchester and not sunny Montego Bay occupying Fuller's goalscoring thoughts this weekend.
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