Man City boss Eriksson rejects Owen because he is 'too old'

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Sven Goran Eriksson and Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra have decided the 27-year-old striker does not fit the age profile of players the club needs to sign in January despite Owen's famous hat-trick against Germany when Eriksson was England boss.

Over the hill? Sven Goran Eriksson will not consider a move for 27-year-old Michael Owen

Eriksson has pledged to follow Arsene Wenger's 'buy young' approach at Arsenal, having been given the go-ahead to sign a top-line striker next month.

Wenger has been reluctant to sign anyone over the age of 26 since Croat striker Davor Suker flopped at Arsenal and City boss Eriksson is pursuing the same policy.

He will not look at anyone older than Inter Milan's Adriano (25) or Peter Crouch (26) although the latter is reluctant to leave Liverpool now he is playing regularly under Rafa Benitez.

"I agree with the way Arsene has done it at Arsenal. It's my philosophy too," said Eriksson, who has maintained his personal relationship with Owen since returning to club management.

"It is the right way for City. We're building for the future."

Eriksson's decision is a huge blow to Owen who has started only 20 Premier League games in two years at Newcastle and is sidelined after being injured on England duty against Austria.

Michael Johnson,19, is due to return at Spurs today and Eriksson said: "I heard Liverpool wanted him but they'd have to sell their stadium to do that."