Owen uses break to build fitness

31 March 2009 10:15
Newcastle skipper Michael Owen has used the international break to work on his fitness as the debate continues over his future with England.Fabio Capello once again decided he did not need the 29-year-old's services for the friendly clash with Slovakia and the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine despite mounting injury problems.However, that has given Owen time to work on his fitness following a six-week lay-off with ankle ligament damage, and caretaker boss Chris Hughton has been delighted with the results as he prepares for Saturday's Premier League fixture against Chelsea.Hughton said: "Michael has benefited from the two-week break, and it's been a real bonus for us that he's been able to work with us at the training ground."And what helps during the international break is that the group is a little bit smaller and you are able to concentrate a little bit more on each player."Michael is focused on getting on with the job in hand. He is just back from six weeks out through injury, and Michael will want to get back to his full fitness levels."He has been concentrating on doing the best he can because it's the tough end of the season now and it's all about what part he can play."Owen suffered his injury in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City on January 28, and missed five crucial games as Newcastle slid alarmingly down the table.He returned for the 1-1 draw at Hull on March 14, but was clearly some way short of full match fitness, and Hughton used him only as a substitute in the 3-1 home defeat by Arsenal a week later.However, he will hope the club's leading scorer for the season with 10 goals can rediscover his form quickly as the Magpies attempt to drag themselves out of the relegation zone with just eight games remaining.Hughton could do with more good news on the injury front with defenders Steven Taylor and Sebastien Bassong doubts for the game at the weekend with ankle and groin injuries respectively.Damien Duff was sent back to Tyneside after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Italy.However, he picked up the injury last Wednesday and Hughton is hoping that, even if he does not make it on Saturday, he will not be out of action for very much longer.He told the club's official website: "When the injury was assessed at the time, it was felt it could be anything from a seven to 10-day injury."But that is the good news because even if he doesn't make Chelsea, then it's not a long-term injury."But he has a chance of making the game and we will continue to assess him on a day-by-day basis."[LNB]

Source: Eurosport