Joe Royle hailed Shefki Kuqi as the most improved player in the division and possibly the country after the Town striker's 12^th goal of the season beat Stoke.

The Finnish international exchanged passes with Ian Westlake before firing past Steve Simonsen in the first-half to give Town a 1-0 win.

"I don't think there is a more improved player, certainly in this division than Shefki and possibly the country," says Town boss Joe.

"Some people doubted him when he arrived here from Sheffield Wednesday reserves but he has got better and better.

"It's a confidence thing with Shefki and at the moment his confidence is sky high.

"He works so hard for the team and makes it difficult for the opposition to get to our midfield and I am delighted that things are going so well for him. It's nice when one of the good guys is getting credit."

Joe had praise for the whole team after the victory over Tony Pulis' side, adding: "We were tremendous in the first-half against a team that are difficult to break down.

"Kelvin Davis hardly had a save to make and it was a terrific response to the defeat at Millwall.

                          King Kuqi

"Darren Currie was excellent again and has really provided something different to the team and Jim Magilton was running the game in the first-half.