Owen - Comeback game crucial

06 March 2009 11:56
Michael Owen has described next weekend's Premier League match against Hull City as Newcastle's 'cup final'.[LNB] Owen is expected to return to action at the KC Stadium after undergoing minor groin surgery last month.[LNB]He admits it is a vital game for Newcastle, who are currently one point above the relegation zone following Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United.[LNB]"The game at Hull City on Saturday week is at the moment shaping up to be our cup final - and the other games against teams around us, Stoke City, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough, could also be crucial," Owen told the club's official website.[LNB]"We've got some tough games coming up, yes, but we've also got some very winnable games - games which, if we do win them, will put our biggest rivals in trouble."[LNB]While the Magpies face Arsenal and Chelsea in their next two matches at St James' Park, Owen is confident of avoiding the drop.[LNB]Newcastle enjoyed a strong finish to last season and Owen has called for the same again. [LNB]He said: "There's no denying that we're in the middle of the relegation scrap, but myself and the lads have no doubt in our minds that we have enough quality to pull clear.[LNB]"However, this is now the time when we have to stand up and be counted - just like we did last year, when we put together a very good seven-match unbeaten run.[LNB]"That sort of sequence is well within our capabilities, and while we have some tough home fixtures in a row, which started against Manchester United and continues with Arsenal and Chelsea, it is the other games against teams around us that are going to be most significant." [LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports