FROM playing centre-back at The Glenn Hoddle Academy to leading the line for Connah's Quay Nomads in the Europa League - it's been quite the ride for Andy Owens.

The 28-year-old was converted from a left-sided midfielder into a central defender by Stoke City, who released Owens prior to him linking up with former England and Tottenham ace Hoddle.

Trials and brief spells with the likes of Morecambe and Accrington followed, before Southport finally cottoned on to the fact that Owens had an eye for goal.

The Liverpool-born attacker explained: "When I was at Stoke I was tall so I got moved to centre-back from left midfield. I think I was the most ball playing centre-back they had seen. All I would do was go on runs and shoot.

"When I went to The Glenn Hoddle Academy he wanted to swap me to a striker, but there was a settled team and I had some interest from League One clubs as a centre-back.

"After that I went to Southport and played centre-back or left-back and kept scoring for them, so eventually I was used as a striker. I enjoyed it."

Given his versatility Owens would still be asked to cover for defensive injuries up until a couple of seasons ago. A prolific spell with Skelmersdale persuaded Andy Morrison to bring him to the Deeside Stadium and the rest, as they say, is history.

"It's sharpened the way I play," said Owens. "I'm not your normal number nine. I try to play in a way that I wouldn't have liked to have been played against as a defender.

"I've still got bits to learn though. I've not really had many full seasons up front. Squads are small in England and when injuries hit you move around if you are versatile."

Despite spending most of his formative years trying to stop attacks, Owens has proven he is the man for the big occasion in front of goal, scoring a hat-trick in the Welsh Cup semi-final win over Bangor City before stepping off the bench to strike as Nomads won lifted the trophy by sinking Aberystwyth Town.

With Michael Wilde struggling for fitness, Owens could be thrust into action against Shakhtyor Soligorsk in tomorrow night's first qualifying round tie at Belle Vue.

He said: "I joke with people saying I am a pressure player.

"It's a massive game for the club. I've been speaking to friends and family and it's a big deal for the club in every aspect, including prize money.

"It's great to be playing against the calibre of team we are and with the draw made for the next round we know it will be another tough game if we were to progress."

On the chance to add a Europa League goal to his CV, Owens added: "The main thing is getting a result, it's not about personal accolades.

"But when you retire people judge you on goals as a striker, it's a quite a shallow position to play because you could have created so many chances for team mates but goals are all that matter.

"Thankfully Andy doesn't see it like that and I will do what I can for the team."