Joe Allen: Stoke signing has qualities to captain Wales, says Mark Bowen

Joe Allen made 37 appearances for Liverpool in the 2015-16 season, but was not a regular starter

Joe Allen could be a future Wales captain, according to Stoke City assistant manager Mark Bowen.

Midfielder Allen completed his £13m move to Stoke from Liverpool on Monday despite interest from his former club Swansea City.

Bowen believes the 26-year-old can be a leader on and off the field for Stoke.

Asked if Allen was a potential international skipper, Bowen told BBC Wales: "I think so, no doubt he's got those qualities in him."

Bowen played left-back for Wales on 42 occasions and confirmed the Potters had been tracking Allen before his impressive performances for Wales at Euro 2016.

Allen played all six games as Chris Coleman's team reached their first major tournament semi-final and was picked in Uefa's official team of the tournament.

"It was strange because we didn't want him to do that well during the European championship because it alerts other clubs," said Bowen

"No doubt there was a lot of interest from other clubs - Swansea being one of them - so it was a situation we were hopeful for, but mindful he would be very much in demand.

"We did our homework on him and everybody we spoke to was very quick to say he's a leader in the dressing room.

"He's very much a team player and we'll be looking for him to shine too and we're looking to him to be a leader and a personality in the dressing room."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes also played for Wales - making 72 appearances between 1984 and 1999 and managed his country from 1999 to 2004.

He was pictures shaking Allen's hand after Wales were beaten 2-0 by Portugal in the semi-final of Euro 2016 on 6 July.