POWELL’S IN GREAT NICK FOR POTTERS

MICHAEL O’NEIL believes Nick Powell is finally starting to come of age.

Powell was seen as one of English football’s biggest young talents when he moved from Crewe to Manchester United for a fee worth up to £6million in 2012.

But he never quite cut it at Old Trafford and had loan spells at Wigan, Leicester and Hull before joining Wigan again on a permanent basis. Now he is flourishing at Stoke.

Powell (above), now 27, scored the opener in a routine 2-0 win at Bristol City on Good Friday, and the Potters host Millwall today with the teams locked together in mid-table on 55 points.

O’neil said: “No matter where we play Nick, he plays well and that’s the most important thing.

“It was great for him to score and his all-round play was of a very high standard.

“He’s in a good place, playing with a lot of confidence, and he’s the fittest he’s been in his career.

“His end-product is so high if you look at the chances he creates and the goals he scores.”

Millwall manager Gary Rowett insists there will be no extra personal edge as his Lions travel to his former club today.

The Lions boss (above) had a brief, unhappy tenure at the Bet365 Stadium, before being appointed at the Den.

Rowett said: “It will feel like any other away game, a match for us, and it doesn’t really matter where it is. It won’t feel like there is any real extra meaning for me.“

Rowett joined Stoke from Derby in May 2018 but his contract was terminated the following January.

“We want to go and win but we are aware Stoke have good players,” added Rowett.

“They are a strong, physical side and had a good result at Bristol City. Our focus is on keeping the season alive.”