Striker Decides To Have Surgery

By Matt Jones
January 2 2006

26-year-old Michael Owen has revealed how he is going to have a pin inserted into his foot following a collision with Spurs' goalkeeper Paul Robinson during the Magpies' 2-0 defeat on New Year's Eve.

Speaking to THE TIMES, Michael Owen explained: "I have been given the name of a good surgeon and I am going to have a pin inserted.

"It is not essential, and some players have done without it, but I have been advised that it should give me the best chance of a strong and quick recovery.

"I don't need any miracles to be playing again this season and, fingers crossed, I will see at least a month of the Premiership season as well as the World Cup.

"The experiences of so many of my colleagues provides some reassurance that I should back in two to three months.

"Some players with broken metatarsals have been back on the pitch in eight weeks so that is the most optimistic scenario.

"Thirteen weeks seems to be the worst case to judge from the information I have had from the likes of [Stephen] Gerrard."