• Tony Pulis confirms interest in the former England striker • As a free agent Owen has been linked with Liverpool too

Tony Pulis is still hopeful that Stoke City can sign Michael Owen in spite of increased competition from other Premier League clubs.

The Potters have been linked with the 32-year-old ever since he became a free agent after his release from Manchester United this summer. Pulis wants to sign the former England striker on a pay-as-you-play deal.

"I would love to sign Michael," he said. "If we can do it, we will do it, and do it on the basis that we did with Jonathan Woodgate and players like that. If he's in the team he will get paid, and if he isn't he won't get paid so much."

Because the player is out of contract he can be signed outside the transfer window; and now that it has closed until January, Owen has become more attractive to other clubs, with Sunderland and Liverpool now being linked.