Stoke City striker Michael Owen has admitted that he regrets playing so many games when he was progressing through the youth system at Liverpool.

The 32-year-old has struggled to stay fit in recent seasons because of ongoing hamstring and groin problems, and despite being regarded as a talented player as a youngster, Owen now believes that was to his disadvantage.

Owen said on his official website: "As a youngster, I was considered exceptional and in many ways, that was to my detriment. While I was playing every game available to me, there was another young kid in the Liverpool Academy called Steven Gerrard who was also showing huge potential.

"Unlike me, who was playing 80-odd games a year, Stevie just couldn't stay fit. I am convinced that this played to his advantage in the long run.

"I would play a full season with Liverpool and then I was jetting off to play for England, sometimes playing three years above my age group at the highest level."

Owen missed Stoke's 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion last weekend because of a hamstring problem.