Newcastle United Football Club News

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

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

Owen return moves closer

10 Apr 2007 - 11:57:16

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Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder has confirmed that Michael Owen is very close to making a return to action.

Owen has been sidelined for ten months but, with another long-term injury victim - Shola Ameobi - also making good progress, Roeder is looking forward to the time he can finally field his first-choice strikeforce.

"With Michael and Shola coming back, the front part of the team has got the potential to be prolific," he said after the goalless stalemate with Arsenal at St James' Park.

"All I can say is that we're very, very close (with Owen). He's in great shape - he really is. But if I say he's going to play on a certain date and he doesn't, hysteria breaks out that he's had a setback.

"I'm looking for players other than Oba (Martins) to score. Scotty Parker's chipped in with four or five, and Damien (Duff) we know is capable of scoring goals.

"I'd be more concerned if Damien wasn't getting chances, but in a full season he is capable of getting very close to double figures.

"He's looked a different player in the last three or four weeks. He looks like the Damien Duff we brought here at the start of the season - now I hope he finishes the season like he's played the last two games."

Meanwhile, Roeder has decided not to offer a contract to Turkish defender Erol Bulut who had been training with the rest of the Magpies squad.

"The lad has already gone back home and we will not be signing him," Roeder added.