Owen expected back

NEWCASTLE – England striker Michael Owen could make his long-awaited debut this season in Newcastle’s clash with Reading next Monday, according to his manager Glen Roeder.

Owen had been slated for a possible appearance against champions Chelsea on Sunday but the 27-year-old did not even figure on the bench. But now Roeder is convinced his star forward is ready for a return to first team action and will not play him in the reserves against Bolton today.”If Michael is involved in an 11 v 11 this week, it will be on the training ground against ourselves,” he said.”In my opinion now, Michael does not need to be playing against any opposition in a friendly.The next time we will see Michael Owen, it will be in a competitive game.”After 10 months on the sidelines recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament rupture he suffered at last summer’s World Cup finals, Owen is desperate to return and stake his claim for a place in the England squad for the friendly against Brazil and the European Championship qualifier in Estonia in June.That is the subject of a battle between his club and the Football Association amid a row over World Cup compensation, although chairman Freddy Shepherd is adamant he has no problem with his record 17 million pounds (34 million dollars) signing playing for England.Roeder is concentrating solely on the task of getting the club’s prize asset back on the field, and that is a process he refuses to rush as Owen attempts to shake off a minor groin strain.Nampa-AFPBut now Roeder is convinced his star forward is ready for a return to first team action and will not play him in the reserves against Bolton today.”If Michael is involved in an 11 v 11 this week, it will be on the training ground against ourselves,” he said.”In my opinion now, Michael does not need to be playing against any opposition in a friendly.The next time we will see Michael Owen, it will be in a competitive game.”After 10 months on the sidelines recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament rupture he suffered at last summer’s World Cup finals, Owen is desperate to return and stake his claim for a place in the England squad for the friendly against Brazil and the European Championship qualifier in Estonia in June.That is the subject of a battle between his club and the Football Association amid a row over World Cup compensation, although chairman Freddy Shepherd is adamant he has no problem with his record 17 million pounds (34 million dollars) signing playing for England.Roeder is concentrating solely on the task of getting the club’s prize asset back on the field, and that is a process he refuses to rush as Owen attempts to shake off a minor groin strain.Nampa-AFP