Owen ahead of schedule
England and Newcastle striker Michael Owen is a week ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from a fractured foot, according to caretaker manager Glenn Roeder.
Owen broke a metatarsal against Tottenham on New Year’s Eve but he has now been cleared to step up his training regime.
“Michael saw his specialist on Monday and had a good look at his latest X-rays,” said Roeder. “He is happy at what he has seen and heard and now it’s full steam ahead for him.
“Things are going well for Michael and he is perhaps a week ahead of where we always thought he would be after his injury.”
Owen has optimistically pencilled in the FA Cup quarter-final at Chelsea on March 22 but a return in April for the last month of the season may be more realistic.
Roeder, who has been in temporary charge since Graeme Souness was sacked a month ago, has been impressed by Owen’s attitude.
“When players are injured they normally let their heads go down, but whenever I have seen Michael he has had a smile on his face,” Roeder told Newcastle’s Evening Chronicle.
“He really is working his socks off and the staff who are with him find that he is a pleasure to work with because he is so professional.
“It goes without saying we cannot wait to get him back into our team.”
