Forgotten man Michael Owen insists he will play again this season as he continues to battle back from his serious knee injury.
Owen, 26 damaged knee ligaments during England's World Cup campaign in Germany is hoping to be given the go-ahead to step up his rehabilitation programme in the new year.
'There is still a lot of work to be done until I am back out playing, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now and I am looking forward to the day I return. 'Plenty of people have tried to set targets for when I will start playing again, but it really is impossible to say.
'We have not done any serious work yet or tested the knee. The turn of the year will be the important time for me but I am confident I can play again this season.
Owen also detailed the monotony of his strict training regime which involves daily exercises on bikes, rowing machines and the occasional work-out in a swimming pool. He added: 'I've spent most of my time staring at four walls in a gym; walking on a treadmill with no end to it and on exercise bikes and rowing machines.
'If I am lucky, I get treated on a Wednesday to go down to the pool and do 50 lengths. 'Basically it is quite a grind. But I know at the turn of the year it will change.