Michael Owen staying at Stoke

Despite Michael Owen's career fizzling out quicker than a damp sparkler on a rainy November evening, Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has insisted that he will stay at the Britannia until the end of the season.

Owen has appeared in just 5 games since the Potters picked him up from the top of the pile in the 'has-been' bucket because of another injury, this time a hamstring, but his manager is sticking by him and will not be allowing Owen to run away from his misery.

Pulis said: “There is absolutely no chance of Michael going out on loan.

“He needs game time but I didn’t think it was right to bring him on against Palace on Tuesday.

“As a manager you have to make these decisions, irrespective of how big a name he is.”

Owen, once one of the greatest young strikers on the planet, has seen his career turned upside down with injury problems and has had to endure a place either on the medical table or the substitute bench over the last handful of years, although his lucrative salary will have softened the blow during his time at Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United respectively.

Still, at least Stoke fans can keep hoping for that miracle turn of form from the one-time Ballon d'Or winner.

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