Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 5/9/2012

Enjoy our quick round-up of the football news stories making waves across the globe.

Stoke City have taken a gamble by signing free agent Michael Owen until the end of the season.

Owen has been without a club since departing Old Trafford in the summer, and the injury-prone frontman represents something of a risk a reward signing for Tony Pulis. Keep him fit, and he’ll surely reward you with goals.

"He [Pulis] has assembled a great squad that I look forward to joining," said Owen. "I'm now looking forward to contributing as much as possible to the club, and can't wait to play in front of a great set of supporters."

According to the Sun newspaper, Manchester United made an audacious £38 million deadline day swoop for Brazilian starlet Neymar.

Sir Alex Ferguson turned to the Santos marksman after a ‘reported’ falling out with Wayne Rooney.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils are set to hand a shock debut to Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt.

United have a prestigious friendly with Real Madrid next summer, and Sir Alex is set to hand Bolt – known for his pace – a spot in his squad.

The Jamaican has frequently told of his love for the club, and appeared on a lap of honour around Old Trafford before their 3-2 win against Fulham back in August.

Alessandro Del Piero has apparently rejected an offer from Southampton in order to move to Sydney FC, where he will earn a reported £1.3 million a season to become the highest-paid player in A-League history.

The red card that Tom Huddlestone picked up in his Tottenham side’s draw with Norwich has been rescinded.

Huddlestone dived into a mistimed yet not malicious lunge at the Canaries’ Jonny Howson, and referee Mark Halsey had no hesitation in thrusting the dreaded red in the burly midfielder’s direction. 

After a successful appeal though, the three-match ban has been withdrawn.

Naughty Sir Bobby Charlton has claimed that England are ‘a way off’ from having any success at the next World Cup in 2014.

As part of the 1966 squad, Charlton knows what it takes to win big on the international stage. But he is playing down Roy Hodgson’s side’s chances. "They haven't got a lot of top-quality players so you must feel it is going to be difficult to win things," he said. 

"You cannot see it happening in Brazil at the next World Cup, for instance. I have to be honest and say it's a way off.” Thanks for that Bob.

Here at Route One we try to keep you abreast of all the latest football news around the globe, so keep your peepers peeled.