Tony Pulis insists Stoke striker Michael Owen will not leave on loan

Michael Owen: Has made just five appearances for Stoke since summer move

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis insists that striker Michael Owen will not be leaving the club on loan.

The former England striker has made just five appearances since joining the Potters this summer, and has been hit by a hamstring injury in recent weeks.

Despite Owen's limited playing time, Pulis has ruled out any possibility of Owen leaving the Britannia Stadium on a temporary deal, and will look to give the striker some much-needed match fitness by arranging a friendly behind closed doors next week.

"There is absolutely no chance of Michael [Owen] going out on loan"
Tony Pulis

"There is absolutely no chance of Michael [Owen] going out on loan," Pulis said.

"He needs game time but I didn't think it was right to bring him on against Palace on Tuesday.

"As a manager you have to make these decisions, irrespective of how big a name he is."

Stoke face Swansea on Saturday with just one victory from their last seven Premier League games.