Ow I do like to be beside the seaside

BRIGHTON are preparing an audacious bid to land Michael Owen.

The Championship club want to bring the Manchester United striker to the Amex Stadium to help their quest for the play-offs.

United would demand only a nominal fee for the striker, 32, who they signed for free from Newcastle in 2009.

Owen has always said he would not be prepared to slip down the leagues.

But the chance of regular football with Gus Poyet's ambitious side might appeal.

Owen's chances at Old Trafford are limited even when he is fit. Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez and Dimi Berbatov are all ahead of him in the pecking order.

He has started just 18 games for United and come on as a sub a further 34 times, scoring 17 goals.