Owen hopeful of facing City

New Stoke signing Michael Owen has conceded he is not ‘100 percent’ ready to play but is confident he can do a job on Saturday.

While Stoke manager Tony Pulis has yet to decide whether he will use Owen for the visit of reigning English Premier League champions Manchester City, he is happy with what the 32-year-old striker has shown so far at training.

However, Owen is confident he is worth a risk against City.

“I’m not sure what the manager has got in store,” Owen said.

“I feel as if I am fit enough to take part in a game.

“I’m not quite 100 percent confident or happy in my general touch and different bits and bobs, but that will come.

“So we’ll see what the manager has got in mind but I’d like to think I’ll improve as the weeks go on.”

Speaking on Thursday, Pulis refused to commit either way on whether Owen will be selected to make his Stoke debut.

“It is too early to say yet,” Pulis said.

“We have got two more days.”

However, in a good sign for Owen, Pulis argued the former Liverpool striker has impressed on the training pitch since joining Stoke.

“He has come back a lot fitter than what we thought he would,” Pulis said.

“He needs a lot more work with the ball and being in small-sided games for his sharpness but we are pleased with the way he has come back.”