For the first time in 16 months, Michael Owen is set to begin a match for Newcastle United this evening. The England forward was a member of the squad that flew from Tyneside yesterday before the Barclays Premiership match away to Reading and, in a boon for both club and country, it is expected that Glenn Roeder will name the 27-year-old in his starting lineup.
Before suffering a groin strain, Owen had been pencilled in to start against Chelsea last weekend and Roeder’s plan for the Madejski Stadium is identical. After such a long absence through injury — Owen has not played since damaging knee ligaments at the World Cup finals last June — the manager is reluctant to introduce him “cold” from the substitutes’ bench.
Ideally, Owen’s eagerly awaited comeback will last for 45 to 60 minutes, an agenda that is eased by Newcastle having little tangible to play for this season. He may even line up this evening alongside Shola Ameobi, who is returning from a hip injury.
Newcastle have failed to score in six of their previous eight league matches, while Obafemi Martins, signed for £10 million from Inter Milan last summer, has mustered only one goal in the Barclays Premiership over the past two months. Owen may have been a rare presence in the team since his club-record £16 million transfer from Real Madrid in August 2005, but his record of seven goals in ten starts is formidable.
Even during his recuperation, Owen was linked with a move to Manchester United, but his priority is to repay Newcastle fans for their support and loyalty. “There’s no doubt he’s committed to Newcastle and we’ll see that when he comes back,” Scott Parker, the captain, said.
His presence at the training ground has boosted flagging spirits. “It might be late in the season, but it has given everyone a lift,” Parker said. “When you’ve got a massive player like Mo in the squad, it gives everyone more confidence. As a player, you want your best teammates out there and Michael is world-class.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle1723088.ece
Before suffering a groin strain, Owen had been pencilled in to start against Chelsea last weekend and Roeder’s plan for the Madejski Stadium is identical. After such a long absence through injury — Owen has not played since damaging knee ligaments at the World Cup finals last June — the manager is reluctant to introduce him “cold” from the substitutes’ bench.
Ideally, Owen’s eagerly awaited comeback will last for 45 to 60 minutes, an agenda that is eased by Newcastle having little tangible to play for this season. He may even line up this evening alongside Shola Ameobi, who is returning from a hip injury.
Newcastle have failed to score in six of their previous eight league matches, while Obafemi Martins, signed for £10 million from Inter Milan last summer, has mustered only one goal in the Barclays Premiership over the past two months. Owen may have been a rare presence in the team since his club-record £16 million transfer from Real Madrid in August 2005, but his record of seven goals in ten starts is formidable.
Even during his recuperation, Owen was linked with a move to Manchester United, but his priority is to repay Newcastle fans for their support and loyalty. “There’s no doubt he’s committed to Newcastle and we’ll see that when he comes back,” Scott Parker, the captain, said.
His presence at the training ground has boosted flagging spirits. “It might be late in the season, but it has given everyone a lift,” Parker said. “When you’ve got a massive player like Mo in the squad, it gives everyone more confidence. As a player, you want your best teammates out there and Michael is world-class.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle1723088.ece
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