Stoke assistant manager Mark Bowen believes that summer signing Joe Allen can continue his fine goalscoring form to help the club climb away from the relegation zone.

The Wales international netted the first brace of his Stoke career over the weekend as the Potters claimed a first Premier League win of the campaign against Sunderland on Saturday.

Allen now boasts five goals in four games since arriving at the Bet365 Stadium in a £13million move from Liverpool.

The former Swansea man has been one of the few positives at Stoke, who are priced at 7.00 to be relegated, this term and Bowen feels his countryman will be key in helping them to build momentum.

Bowen refused to put too much pressure on the midfielder, who has been allowed the freedom to get forward under Mark Hughes, but believes he can keep causing issues at the top end of the field.

“Why can’t he get a double figure of goals?” Bowen said. “Without putting too much pressure on him, I don’t see it ending too quickly.

“He’ll keep doing the things that he’s doing now right through the season. “He’s played that anchor midfield role, protecting the back four and he reads the game well there.

“But the energy and industry that he gives, sometimes when he’s just sitting there, can be wasted. Why not use that industry that he’s got.”

Hughes believes that the 26-year-old has started to show strong leadership qualities and Bowen wants to see more of that as they look to galvanise the squad.

He added: “Mark (Hughes) said in his post-match press conference that Joe is becoming a leader, not just with his performances. “He’s got a voice and we encourage him to have even more of a voice in our dressing room.”