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."

Begovic backs Walters to forget

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has tipped his team-mate Jon Walters to swiftly move on from his nightmare outing against Chelsea by scoring in their FA Cup clash with Crystal Palace.



Walters had a truly miserable time of it when the Blues visited the Britannia Stadium for Saturday's Barclays Premier League match, heading in two own goals and missing a penalty as the Potters were beaten 4-0.



Begovic has no doubt the forward is strong enough to bounce back from that and would not be surprised to see Walters make an immediate return to form by getting on the scoresheet against Palace, who Stoke are hosting for a third-round replay after drawing 0-0 with them in the original tie on January 5.



"I don't think anybody will worry about Jon Walters," Begovic said.



"His character and personality won't be affected by anything that happens to him.



"It was a couple of unfortunate incidents for him. I take the blame for the second goal because I probably should have come for the ball, but seeing him there I decided not to.



"He is a big enough character to bounce back and I am sure he will probably score a goal on Tuesday."



The Chelsea defeat was 10th-placed Stoke's first at home in the league since February and the heaviest they have ever suffered on their own turf in a Premier League fixture.



It also means they have conceded seven goals in their last two games at the Britannia Stadium, having drawn 3-3 with Southampton on December 29.



Prior to that result, they had let in only four in their nine home top-flight matches for the season, and Begovic - who is likely to be rested tomorrow - is optimistic the Potters can get things back on track in front of their own supporters in the contest with npower Championship outfit Palace.



"You always want to put things right and hopefully we can do that on Tuesday," Begovic said.



"Crystal Palace will come here with nothing to lose.



"We appreciate the support from the crowd. We feed off it and it is important to have it.



"No matter what the result, they are always there cheering us on and we appreciate that.



"Hopefully we can put things right for them as well on Tuesday."



Stoke boss Tony Pulis admits there was some despondency in the camp off the back of Saturday's loss and is determined to get his players geared up again for the FA Cup, a competition in which they were runners-up in 2011 and quarter-finalists last term.



"There's one or two broken hearts in the dressing room and we'll have to have a look at those and then take it from there," Pulis said.



"We want to do well in the FA Cup. We've only lost two in 12 in the cup and we want to keep that run going."



Pulis is set to make a number of adjustments to his first XI for tomorrow's match.



Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, a regular for the Potters in cup competition, looks set to come in for Begovic once again, while striker Michael Owen will be hoping to be back involved after starting the initial meeting with Palace but then missing out on a place in the squad for the Chelsea game.



Defender Marc Wilson and midfielder Rory Delap, who have been sidelined by a broken leg and calf problem respectively, remain unavailable.

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.

Fellaini charged by FA

Marouane Fellaini has been handed one violent conduct charge following his running battle with Ryan Shawcross at the weekend.



The Everton midfielder is facing a three-match ban if he is found guilty of butting Shawcross during the second half of Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Britannia.



But a Football Association statement confirmed no action will be taken over two further clashes as the pair awaited Everton corners.Referee Mark Halsey saw both incidents at the time and decided neither was worthy of punishment.



Fellaini will start his suspension with immediate effect, ruling him out of the forthcoming games against West Ham, Wigan and Chelsea.

The Belgian, who apologised immediately after Saturday's game, is also likely to be fined by his club after manager David Moyes publicly condemned his player in a post-match interview.

Pulis: Moyes deserves big job

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is at a loss why one of the Premier League's big guns has not poached Everton counterpart David Moyes.

Moyes has pushed Everton into the top four as we reach the halfway stage of the season and they will arrive at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday on a run of just one defeat in 11 games.



Given the Scot's managerial qualities, it remains a surprise to Pulis that he is still at Goodison Park.



"I know David very well. He is a top manager, has done exceptionally well there.



They'll be really pleased they've kept him and that he's still there," said Pulis.



"I'm surprised he is still there, to be honest, because I thought one of the big four might have taken him away after serving a first-class apprenticeship there.



"He's now been there a long time, the players know him, the club know him, he's put his stamp on the place, and they're reaping the rewards from it.



"Traditionally they've been a top, top club over the years, not out of the top flight for many years (since 1954).



"Everton are a benchmark for us in lots of respects. They're a very good club, with the way they've built and put things together.

"As I've mentioned, they've a great manager, but they've top players, and they've a real chance of pushing for the top four. They'll be top six without a question of a doubt this season.



"We haven't had as much time as Everton in the Premier League to lay the foundations, but we're getting there, and that's the main thing. We've had a great year this year. Every year we spend in the Premier League is an achievement. We just want to build the club properly, and over a period of time."

Shawcross to sign new deal at Stoke

Premier League stalwarts Stoke City look set to re-sign Ryan Shawcross to a new deal following the team’s 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.



The England international stated that he felt very settled at the club and continued by reaffirming his willingness “to be part of the future.”



“I am extremely comfortable in the Stoke team,” said Shawcross.



“I am comfortable with the way we play, and I have great players around me, which always makes the job easier. Hopefully we can grow as a unit and become even stronger over the next year or two.”



Stoke look set to tie Shawcross to a club record six-year deal worth an estimated £14m, making him the highest paid player at the Britannia Stadium.



With experience at international level placing him firmly in the shop window and under two years left on his current deal which runs out in June 2014, Shawcross’ comments will come as a huge relief to Potters fans.



The Chester-born defender initially joined Stoke on loan from Manchester United in 2007 before becoming the club’s most formidable defensive asset and captain.



A new contract is certain to be signed very soon according to manager Tony Pulis who commented on the speculation confirming that “whether he has or not [signed a new contract] I don’t know, but we are close.”