Saido Berahino's eye might have been off for his penalty miss but there is nothing wrong with his heart.

Striker Berahino would have been forgiven for swerving the media after his failure to end his goal-drought from the spot during Saturday's win over Southampton.

But credit to him, he stopped outside the players’ entrance at Stoke 's bet365 Stadium and stood in the rain to answer every question about his latest ­ignominy.

In fronting up, Berahino took a big step towards getting over his disappointment and prove he has the character to end his wait for a goal — which is now at 583 days and counting.

“I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been frustrating,” said the ­former England Under-21 striker, who was a £12million buy from West Brom in January.

Berahino's last goal came when he was still a West Brom player... (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
...during a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace in February 2016 (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

“But the most important thing is the manager has still got belief in me and the players know what I’m about because they see it every day in training.

“I’m not going to beat myself up about it too much. I ­believe I’m focused on the pitch.”

Berahino, 24, had the guts to take the penalty ahead of Xherdan Shaqiri after being fouled by Virgil van Dijk and says he would take another one, even though he has missed his last four.

Here's proof that Saido Berahino CAN find the net...

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“Of course I would take ­another one,” he said. “Although I know Shaqiri wanted to kill me over that one! I had to fight him to take that one.

“I still believe in myself. I proved it before at West Brom. I had my problems there, so my football development has slowed a bit.

“But I’m picking myself back up and I’m at a place where I feel I belong. I feel it’s only a matter of time before I start repaying the faith the staff and the team have in me.”

Berahino’s miss did not cost Stoke.

After Maya Yoshida cancelled out Mame ­Diouf’s opener, Peter Crouch netted the winner five minutes from time.

Crouch has ­sympathy with ­Berahino's plight. He ­endured a similarly lean start to his Liverpool ­career in 2005, before finishing that campaign with 19 goals for club and country.

“I’ve been in exactly the same situation,” said the former England international.

Old stager Crouch came on for Berahino and showed the kid how it's done... (
Image:
AFP/Getty)
...as Stoke ended a four-match winless run in the Premier League (
Image:
Getty)

“I remember against ­Portsmouth, grabbing the ball off Steven Gerrard to take a penalty — and missing.

“But I stuck at it, changed a few things and ended up ­having a good run at Liverpool. We know he’s got the quality. Once he gets one, I’m sure he will go on a run.”

Crouch still hasn’t lost his touch at 36 and feels he ­deserves to start after snaffling his third goal of the campaign.

“I’m frustrated because I want to be starting games,” he said. “I know I can play this season and next.”

Van Dijk started his first match since failing to force a move­ in the summer and, despite conceding the penalty, he was impressive.

Steven Davis, who carries on as Saints captain at the Dutchman’s expense, claims he has put the episode behind him.

“It’s a difficult situation for the individual to deal with ­because a lot has gone on,” said the midfielder. “It’s good that he’s come out the other side. He’s back ­training, full of energy and full of desire.”

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