England coach Roy Hodgson says Stoke City signing Michael Owen can break back into his squad.

Owen, though, has the chance to force his way into Hodgson's thoughts if he can rediscover some of his old goalscoring form at Stoke's Britannia ­Stadium.

"Any player, be he Michael Owen or anyone else, who is on fire, scoring goals and playing extremely well in the Premier League every week, they are going to come to our attention," said Hodgson.

"We look at all players. I have chosen players so far on what I have seen in the Premier League over the last couple of years.

"Now I am covering as many games with my staff as I possibly can to watch others. In my time as England manager so far, I have had quite a large squad of players.

"I've been working with them and they are trying very hard to play the type of football we want.

"So before we start muddying the water by going back and ­talking about players who have been outstanding players for England in the past, let's first of all make sure those players are playing and playing extremely well - and ­better than the ones I'm ­selecting.

"We'll watch that of course and I can only wish Michael Owen well.

"I like Michael. Like all football lovers, I admire what he has done in the past.

"He's had a wonderful career, it's disappointing he hasn't played as many games as he would like in the last couple of years.

"Now, hopefully, he will get the chance and we will wish him well."