Owen facing FA rap

Michael Owen could face action from the Football Association after reacting badly to a challenge by Mikel Arteta during Stoke City's defeat at Arsenal.



Owen appeared to thump Arsenal midfielder Arteta on the back towards the end of the 1-0 defeat at the Emirates.

The striker was not booked but the FA could investigate after it was caught on camera.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: "Arteta's challenge was poor, but Michael should not do that."

The Potters had fallen behind to Lukas Podolski's deflected free-kick when Arteta challenged Stoke substitute Owen.

Former England international Owen reacted angrily and appeared to lash out at the Spaniard, but referee Chris Foy did not book the 33-year-old.

"If Michael has done what he has done and they look at it, then they will deal with it," added Pulis.



"We'll see what they say. Obviously I am going to be biased as it is my football team."

Owen in Perth Glory link

Stoke striker Michael Owen has reportedly expressed interest in a move to Australia, with Perth Glory the frontrunners for his signature.



Owen, 33, has played less than an hour of first team football since joining Stoke from Manchester United in the summer, although he is likely to feature in the Potters' FA Cup trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.



"Michael Owen's agent has enquired about Michael playing in the A-League," a Perth spokesperson told the West Australian . "Perth Glory are interested but are yet to find out Michael's terms and conditions. Until these are known, Perth Glory will not enter any further negotiations."



Stoke boss Tony Pulis insisted Owen is still wanted at the Britannia, despite failing to use him over the busy festive period.



"We've done okay as a club anyway, but Michael has been a part of it over Christmas without me selecting him," Pulis said. "He's been available so hopefully I'll get him involved somehow [on Saturday].



"But his attitude hasn't surprised me and I think the players like him in the way he is, he's a decent lad. I don't think Michael sees this as a big chance to prove people wrong.



"He just wants to play football and he has to be fully fit to do that. We have to get him in that position first but he's been a pleasure to work with."

Owen in contention for Stoke return

Stoke striker Michael Owen could make his first-team comeback when Liverpool visit the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day.



Owen, who has not played for the Potters since October 27 due a hamstring problem, has been working on his fitness and may be ready to feature in the 7.45pm Barclays Premier League kick-off.



It remains to be seen whether or not another former Red, midfielder Charlie Adam, will be involved after he missed Saturday's 0-0 draw at Tottenham having been granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.

Stoke favoured to land Owen

Michael Owen is expected to join Stoke City this month despite apparent interest from Everton.



Owen was released by Manchester United this northern summer after three years at Old Trafford which were scarred by injury problems.



The 32-year-old confirmed he had no plans to retire, having previously stated his intention to remain in the top flight.



And, despite playing just 10 times since January 2011, Press Association Sport understands there has been plenty of interest in Owen, with Stoke now looking like the preferred option for England's fourth highest scorer.



It does seem like an obvious move. Manager Tony Pulis recently admitted an interest in Owen "along with a number of other players", and Stoke is barely 30 miles from the striker's plush Manor House Stables complex which, under the guidance of trainer Tom Dascombe, is quickly gaining an impressive reputation in racing circles.



There is some competition from Everton, although whether Owen would be willing to join the Goodison Park outfit given his status as a former Liverpool player is open to debate.



Some uncertainty at the Merseyside outfit lingers anyway as David Moyes remains among the favourites to fill the managerial vacancy at Tottenham Hotspur, even though his odds have drifted from the immediate aftermath of Harry Redknapp's exit.



The arrival of Owen would represent a further move away from the perception of Pulis having a long-ball team.



Although they tended to rely on the aerial threat of Ricardo Fuller when they returned to the top flight in 2008, Peter Crouch has never been viewed as a target man despite his height and he spent much of last season in tandem with Jonathan Walters.



Fitness permitting, Pulis would presumably be looking for Owen's predatory instincts to maximise the goal threat of a side which found the net just 36 times last term, the worst record in the entire Premier League.