Michael Owen in Rocky-style training ahead of comeback

MICHAEL OWEN insists he is close to making his first Premier League start for Stoke — after getting the ‘Rocky’ treatment from club medics.

In scenes reminiscent of the Oscar-winning film starring Sylvester Stallone, Owen was spotted running up and down stairways at the Britannia on Saturday.

The former England striker has managed just 53 minutes for Stoke in four substitute appearances since signing as a free agent in September.

And he was handed a punishing session before the 1-0 home victory over Fulham as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Owen said: “I’m back in full training.

“The physios and the medical team were up at the stadium for Saturday’s match. So I trained there.

“They made me run up every stairway at the ground.

“It was a hard old session.”

Stoke boss Tony Pulis says Owen has an outside chance of being fit to face his former club Newcastle on Wednesday.

But he is more likely to return against West Brom on Saturday.