Owen Will Decide When He Returns To Action

By Kev Luff
January 31 2006

Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness will let Michael Owen decide when he wants to make his comeback from a broke foot.

The forward suffered the injury during the final game of 2005 and has not played since. Owen could resume training shortly however Souness accepts it could be much longer. Owen has had his protective boot removed this week and despite the pressure being on Souness to find results he is not prepared to rush Owen it seems.

“He had his boot off yesterday and he was having another scan this morning, and then it’s just a case of stepping up his training,” said Souness. “But we have not put a time on it, because the best one to decide that would be Michael on how his foot feels. The recovery period is still, I think, anywhere between six and 12 weeks - six weeks would mean he is ready in a fortnight. But 12 weeks would be a long, long time away. I don’t want to think about that.”

Newcastle’s injuries are starting to clear up a little bit now. Souness welcomed back Scott Parker and Emre for the FA Cup win over Cheltenham Town last weekend. However the bitterly cold conditions in the North East have not done Kieron Dyer any favours as he attempts to return to fitness. The midfielder has been suffering from a hamstring problem and a mystery illness.

“This weather has hurt Kieron a wee bit. We hoped he was going to have a really hard week of training this week - but with the pitches frozen, that’s been limited somewhat,” said Souness. “We are hoping Kieron can be on the bench against Portsmouth. But a lot can happen between now and Saturday – I’m sitting here with everything crossed.”

SOURCE: www.northeastfootball.co.uk

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