Saint Mike is back.

[AFII]

OWEN'S ON WAY
By Simon Bird 11/04/2007

MICHAEL OWEN put 10 months of injury hell behind him by making a goalscoring return for Newcastle in a practice match yesterday.

The England striker played 70 minutes against a makeshift team from Scottish Division One side Gretna - and scored early on in the 4-1 win.

Owen, in line for place on the bench at Portsmouth on Saturday, made a huge step towards being fit for the last five league games and England's Euro 2008 clash with Estonia in June.

His first start is likely to be against Chelsea a week on Saturday at St James' Park but he is also now in line to come to Steve McClaren's rescue.

Owen, 27, has had an operation to repair his cruciate ligament and cartilage after he was injured playing against Sweden in the World Cup.

CLICKY - The Mirror

[AFII]

Owen makes "brilliant" Newcastle comeback
tribalfooball.com - April 10, 2007

Newcastle United striker Michael Owen made a playing comeback in a closed-doors friendly against Gretna last night.

The Newcastle and England forward played for 75 minutes and is now set for a return against champions Chelsea in 10 days' time.

Owen scored and created a goal for fellow returning forward Shola Ameobi, who has been out since last year after undergoing hip surgery.

Newcastle sealed off their Little Benton training ground to deny any photographs to be taken of Owen on the day, having denied on Monday that the 26-year-old was set for his biggest step yet towards a return to the Premiership.

But in game of three half-an-hour thirds, Owen completed all but 15 minutes in a 4-1 victory that saw Glenn Roeder also give outings to Titus Bramble, Albert Luque and Charles N'Zogbia.

Gretna full back Gavin Skelton said: "If that's what he's like after nine months out of the game, I'd hate to play against a full fit Michael Owen.

"The goal was the hallmark of a great striker. It was just a half-chance really from the edge of the box but in a flash he'd buried it in the bottom corner of the net with a right foot shot.

"He didn't smash it, it was just very clinical, brilliantly placed. He looked very sharp throughout and while I can't recall him having any more chances, his link up play was excellent.

"I didn't notice him heavy breathing either. Stamina-wise, you wouldn't have thought this was his comeback game. Obviously, he's not going to be match fit but to me, he looks ready for the Premiership.

"We're not a bad side in our own right but he's the best we've played against. I'm glad I don't come across forwards of his calibre every week."

[Eth]

I hope he has a lovely long career of winning **** all in geordie land

[Craig_H]

I really dont understand all the bitterness and resentment shown towards one of our leading goalscorers of all time...

Rush never had this when he went to Juve...

And before anyone says "But he came back", Owen WOULD'VE come back if we'd agreed a fee with Madrid - we didnt. Not his fault.

[Eth]

"I would like to say a special thank you for being given the opportunity to play for the best team in the world."

[Craig_H]

"I would like to say a special thank you for being given the opportunity to play for the best team in the world."

I'm assuming that's his quote about Madrid, is it?

Who WOULDNT say the right things in certain situations? I think it's naive to expect anything different. Whatever anyone might say, the statistics say Madrid are the biggest/most successful club in the world.

[Reece]

Whilst most blokes are in the NSFW knocking one out, AFII is doing so whilst viewing this thread

[cannotmakeit]

oh Owen again.........

[AFII]

Whilst most blokes are in the NSFW knocking one out, AFII is doing so whilst viewing this thread

[Liverpool]

I really dont understand all the bitterness and resentment shown towards one of our leading goalscorers of all time...

Rush never had this when he went to Juve...

And before anyone says "But he came back", Owen WOULD'VE come back if we'd agreed a fee with Madrid - we didnt. Not his fault.

The way he left saying I'll sign soon and ran his contract down and he could have told madrid he's only leaving for Liverpool

[Jack D Rips]

The way he left saying I'll sign soon and ran his contract down and he could have told madrid he's only leaving for Liverpool

Thats the very reason. Rush didnt do that

[Craig_H]

The way he left saying I'll sign soon and ran his contract down and he could have told madrid he's only leaving for Liverpool

He never categorically said he would sign...

[anfieldanfield]

I really dont understand all the bitterness and resentment shown towards one of our leading goalscorers of all time...

Rush never had this when he went to Juve...

And before anyone says "But he came back", Owen WOULD'VE come back if we'd agreed a fee with Madrid - we didnt. Not his fault.

If Owen had really wanted to come back he should have told Madrid "It's Liverpool or I stay - I am not going to Newcastle".

I respect Owen for the goals he scored for us, but I dont want him back and couldn't care less what happens to him from now on.

[Craig_H]

I think it's naive to suggest that Owen should've risked jeopordising his own career and the World Cup, on the chance that Madrid would've played ball - because they probably wouldnt have.

[Steve]

I think it's naive to suggest that Owen should've risked jeopordising his own career and the World Cup, on the chance that Madrid would've played ball - because they probably wouldnt have.

His own career or his England career?