Newcastle United Football Club News

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

• Ground:St James' Park
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Owen set to play

21 Sep 2007 - 17:19:59

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Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce insists Michael Owen will play against West Ham even though the striker limped out of the shock defeat at Derby County.

Reports had suggested the England international required a hernia operation, but the Magpies boss has dismissed all the speculation.

Allardyce told the club's official website: "There's nothing more to say about Michael Owen other than what the club's already said.

"He's fine to play against West Ham. There's a small problem, but he doesn't need a hernia operation or anything like that.

"We hope Michael will be fine to carry on playing without any sort of operation."

Meanwhile, Allardyce also hopes to welcome back Mark Viduka for the visit to Upton Park.

"Mark Viduka should be back on Sunday, which is good news," the former Bolton boss added.

"I don't know if we missed him against Derby as such because the team's performance was so far below the level of what we expect, but it'll be nice to have him available again."