Newcastle United Football Club News

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

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

Owen makes scoring return

12 Apr 2007 - 10:09:00

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Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder was pleased to welcome long-term injury victims Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi back to action in a friendly game.

Owen scored in the encounter against Gretna at the Magpies' training ground, his first game of football for nine months, as did Ameobi.

A delighted Roeder told The Evening Chronicle: "Michael played for 70 minutes in an 11 against 11 match with Gretna, which really equates to no more than a training session.

"As a result, in terms of returning to the Premiership he is really still a million miles away.

"But having said this, both myself and the medical staff were very happy and pleased at what we saw, as obviously Michael is getting closer to a comeback.

"And the same applies to Shola Ameobi, who has done tremendously well to get in the position he is in at the moment after his hip operation.

"Both of them will be extremely tired, and now it is just a case of waiting and seeing how things turn out."

Rumours suggest Owen will return to action in the Premiership clash against Chelsea at St James' Park later this month.