New Stoke City striker Michael Owen has insisted that he is not guaranteed a place in the starting lineup at the club.

The 32-year-old has arrived at the Britannia Stadium looking to rebuild his career, but he has acknowledged that he will have to work hard to earn a place in the side.

Owen told Stoke City Player: "There are many strikers at the club, I'm not expecting it to be an easy ride.

"I'll have to work, obviously, to play any part. I'm prepared to do that.

"There are a lot of top players at the club, so I'm hopefully going to fit in well with the squad and have a good season."

Owen could make his Stoke debut against Manchester City on September 15.