Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Owen 50-50 for Blues return

19 Apr 2007 - 12:40:20

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Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder has revealed striker Michael Owen is "50-50" to make his comeback against Chelsea in Sunday's Premiership clash at St James' Park.

The England hitman hasn't played a first-team game since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during last summer's World Cup finals in Germany.

The 27-year-old was pulled out of a reserve team squad to face Middlesbrough on Wednesday leading to speculation that he had suffered a setback in his recovery, but Roeder has revealed he could play Owen against the Premiership champions.

However, with the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker troubled by a minor groin injury, a more realistic comeback match could be at Reading on April 30.

"At this stage, I have not even discussed it with Michael as to whether he will be back for us on Sunday," said Roeder.

"He is 50-50, but he will not return until in my opinion he is in pristine condition - and he has had a slight groin strain which he picked up in shooting practice at the end of last week.

"His groin is a bit sore, but that is what happens when players have been out for a long time, they pick up niggles in other parts of their body.

"At the moment, we are being very careful with Michael, as we would with any other player.

"He certainly has not been ruled out of the Chelsea game but, if in the end he is, then we will start looking to our next match at Reading."