Newcastle striker Michael Owen on target for midMarch return

The Newcastle captain is currently sidelined with an ankle injury but has announced he expects to miss his relegation-threatened Premier League club's next two home matches against Everton on Sunday and United on March 4. Owen will also be absent when Newcastle head to Bolton a week on Saturday and is penciling in a return to frontline duties when his club travel to Hull's KC Stadium on Saturday, March 14. "I'm right on schedule for a mid-March return to action," said Owen. "After I damaged my ankle ligaments three and a half weeks ago, the specialist said it would be six weeks to recovery, and that's exactly what it looks like being. "It should be full training for me by the start of March and, hopefully, fully fit and available again for the game at Hull. Owen, 28, has not played since picking up an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City at the end of January but still remains Newcastle's leading scorer with ten goals to his credit this term. Despite his own inactivity, the injury-jinxed striker is confident that Newcastle can climb to safety with fellow forwards Mark Viduka and Obafami Martins returning to action. "With the injured lads getting back to fitness, the picture can quickly change," Owen added. "What's important is that as many players as possible return to a winning team firing on all cylinders. That's another reason why the 3-2 win at West Bromwich in our last match was so important."

Source: Telegraph