Michael Owen has revealed that Stoke City's main aim this season is to ensure that they are still a Premier League team come May.
The Potters have been in the top flight since 2008 and during that time they have competed in an FA Cup final, as well as the Europa League.
However, rather than looking towards further European football, striker Owen feels that the squad should be targeting survival first and foremost.
"I think our ambitions are probably still the same. First and foremost everyone wants to survive in the league, no matter what team you play for, so you want to hit that magic 40 points before you start dreaming about anything else," he told reporters.
"Then once you have done that, you want to finish the season as well as you can and get as high as you can.
"We know that is possible, but first and foremost it is about getting to 40 points and then we'll reassess from there."
A succession of injuries have limited Owen to four appearances from the bench so far this campaign.
Liam Apicella
