The manager of Stoke City, Tony Pulis, has said that Michael Owen is slowly regaining his form and he is not too far from getting a starting opportunity. Owen has signed for Stoke City this summer. He has joined the club on a short contract of 1 year.

Owen made his debut for Stoke a few days back in a Premier League match against the defending Champion Manchester City. He came to play as substitute in that match. The Stoke team performed pretty well in that match and didn’t let Manchester City run away with the three points. There was one goal scored by each side and the scorecard was saying 1-1 when the final whistle was blown by the referee.

Owen hasn’t yet got the opportunity to start any match for Stoke in the ongoing season. Stoke City has to play against Chelsea on Saturday. Chelsea is currently at no. 1 in the Premier League points table. Roberto De Matteo’s team hasn’t lost even a single game in the competition so far. So, that is going to be a tough match for stoke.

When asked whether Owen will be included in the first XI for the match against Chelsea, Pulis said, “Owen is all right at the moment and he is looking in good touch in the training sessions. But, there is not much possibility of him being included in the starting line up against Chelsea.”

“The guys who started the match against Manchester City had performed decently and we don’t want to make too many changes in that starting line up for the match against Chelsea. So, Owen might have to sit on the bench again, but, he will get starting chances at some point of time.”

When asked about the brilliant form of Chelsea in the current season, Pulis said, “Chelsea is a very strong team and they have been in sensational form in the current season. It is going to be a big test for us. We will have to play out of our skins to beat them on their home ground.”