Owen hopeful of England return

LONDON – Michael Owen capped his first team return to Newcastle United by admitting he would “jump at the chance” of returning to the England set-up.

Owen ended his “long and lonely” spell on the sidelines by playing an unscheduled full 90 minutes in the Magpies’ 1-0 defeat at Reading on Monday. Reading’s victory – thanks to Dave Kitson’s second goal of the campaign – pushed them back into seventh place on the table and a UEFA Cup place for next term.Newcastle have just one win in their last nine matches and they are in danger of recording their worst points haul (they have 42 with two matches remaining with 44 being their previous worst) in their Premiership history.However Owen’s return is a major boost for the club.The 27-year-old damaged his anterior cruciate knee ligament during the first moments of England’s 2-2 World Cup draw against Sweden last summer and had not appeared since.England next meet Brazil in the first international at the new Wembley on June 1, and Owen told Sky Sports News he would be delighted to hear from England manager Steve McClaren.”No news – you’ll have to ask Steve McClaren.I’m hopefully going to be fine to be playing in the last two games (this season) for Newcastle and then it’s down to whether Steve McClaren picks me,” said Owen.”And if I’m fit and playing for Newcastle, obviously I’d jump at the chance to play for my country.Its a fantastic honour.”Owen was making his first start for the Magpies since New Year’s Eve 2005 when he broke his metatarsal.Having recovered from the injury, Owen is also hoping the extra muscle he has put on his body will give him an extra edge.”When you have an injury like this you get to start again, you get a clean sheet of paper,” he said.”We’ve built up everything, I weigh a stone heavier now than when I got injured and none of it is fat.”Now you get to start over again.I feel a massive difference from when I last played, I feel as though I can use my body and be strong and win a lot of headers.I felt a different type of player.I felt really well.”Owen admitted the recovery process was difficult, saying: “I spent time with the rest of the lads and that kept me involved with the squad but it is a long, lonely road back to fitness.”You think about it and it’s going to be even longer so you try to get on with your life and try to enjoy time with your family but you are always looking for a return date and thankfully I’ve played a game now.”The plan was to play an hour but the game went against us.We had a couple of injuries and we needed a goal.But the physio working with me has always said, ‘don’t come on as a sub, get on and play, you can play 90 minutes now.’ “It’s been a long season for all the players and I’m probably fitter than most of the lads in our dressing room.”Nampa-AFPReading’s victory – thanks to Dave Kitson’s second goal of the campaign – pushed them back into seventh place on the table and a UEFA Cup place for next term.Newcastle have just one win in their last nine matches and they are in danger of recording their worst points haul (they have 42 with two matches remaining with 44 being their previous worst) in their Premiership history.However Owen’s return is a major boost for the club.The 27-year-old damaged his anterior cruciate knee ligament during the first moments of England’s 2-2 World Cup draw against Sweden last summer and had not appeared since.England next meet Brazil in the first international at the new Wembley on June 1, and Owen told Sky Sports News he would be delighted to hear from England manager Steve McClaren.”No news – you’ll have to ask Steve McClaren.I’m hopefully going to be fine to be playing in the last two games (this season) for Newcastle and then it’s down to whether Steve McClaren picks me,” said Owen.”And if I’m fit and playing for Newcastle, obviously I’d jump at the chance to play for my country.Its a fantastic honour.”Owen was making his first start for the Magpies since New Year’s Eve 2005 when he broke his metatarsal.Having recovered from the injury, Owen is also hoping the extra muscle he has put on his body will give him an extra edge.”When you have an injury like this you get to start again, you get a clean sheet of paper,” he said.”We’ve built up everything, I weigh a stone heavier now than when I got injured and none of it is fat.”Now you get to start over again.I feel a massive difference from when I last played, I feel as though I can use my body and be strong and win a lot of headers.I felt a different type of player.I felt really well.”Owen admitted the recovery process was difficult, saying: “I spent time with the rest of the lads and that kept me involved with the squad but it is a long, lonely road back to fitness.”You think about it and it’s going to be even longer so you try to get on with your life and try to enjoy time with your family but you are always looking for a return date and thankfully I’ve played a game now.”The plan was to play an hour but the game went against us.We had a couple of injuries and we needed a goal.But the physio working with me has always said, ‘don’t come on as a sub, get on and play, you can play 90 minutes now.’ “It’s been a long season for all the players and I’m probably fitter than most of the lads in our dressing room.”Nampa-AFP