Owen's hunger impresses Pulis

Michael Owen is now "desperate" for his career to take off again after making the briefest of debuts for Stoke against Manchester City.

The former England striker, signed as a free agent earlier this month, appeared as a last-minute substitute as the Potters held the Barclays Premier League champions to a 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. Owen, 32, is hoping to resurrect his career after three injury-ravaged years at Manchester United, who released him at the end of last season. Manager Tony Pulis does not yet think Owen is match-fit but he could come into contention for next week's trip to Chelsea. Pulis said: "Michael has trained ever so well over the last couple of days. He is desperate to get going. "But he needs a lot more football. He has done a lot of work by himself, fitness-wise, but playing games is a lot different from just running."