Owen eager to return
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Michael Owen has revealed he is making good progress in his recovery from the knee injury he suffered at last year's World Cup, and is looking forward to an imminent return to action.
The Newcastle United striker is back in training and has reportedly been pencilled in to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly against a Hartlepool XI in a fortnight's time.
He could then return for The Magpies before the end of their Premiership campaign, and feature for England in the summer.
"I'm doing great. Touchwood, I haven't had any setbacks really," Owen said in the newspaper.
"I had a bit of a tight calf three or four weeks ago which meant I didn't really run for a few days but just swam and went on the bike a bit more.
"Everything's going really well. I'm doing more or less everything so I'm looking forward to getting back and playing again."
Owen admits it has been difficult to watch Newcastle's season from the sidelines, but says his frustration has given way to a sense of anticipation in recent weeks.
"When the team are struggling you want to get out there to help them and when they're winning you want to get out and be part of a winning side," he explained.
"Missing football is frustrating.
"I've had this feeling for a long time now but I'm quite excited at the minute because it's getting nearer the time of my first game back." -
no need la. newcastle will get another mid table finish with or without him. just get plenty of rest for next season
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OWEN IS AIMING AT BLUES
MICHAEL OWEN is playing football again and has a full-scale practice match scheduled to speed his return. The Newcastle striker took part in a 20-minute game during training on Friday and has targeted a return at home to Chelsea on April 22.
Owen will play his first 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors practice match against Hartlepool in the week before the Chelsea fixture.
Barring setbacks that means Owen could figure in at least four Newcastle games before the end of the season and provide a major boost for England boss Steve McClaren.
England are set to play Brazil in a friendly to open the revamped Wembley at the end of May, and Owen is keen to play before bolstering his country's attack in the Euro 2008 tie with Estonia on June 6.
How nice will it be for Owen to come back and score against chelsea...
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welcome back owen..please own
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yeah finally
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they will be like.."guess who's back?"
then the music starts... -
the messiah of the geordie nation!