Owen Given Green Light

Last updated : 23 April 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

The 27-year-old striker missed the draw with Chelsea on Sunday, and manager Glenn Roeder says Owen will not be involved in the Reserve game this week. However, Roeder is supposedly saving him for Reading.

Toon fans couldn't believe the news that Owen missed the Chelsea game because of a groin strain, and not his long term injury. God only knows what that was all about. Groin strain?

Roeder: "If Michael is involved in an 11 v 11 this week, it will be on the training ground against ourselves.

"In my opinion now, Michael does not need to be playing against any opposition in a friendly.

"The next time we will see Michael Owen, it will be in a competitive game.

"He has been out for so long, it is important that when he returns, we know he is 100% fully fit.

"We have just got to wait until he is fully fit, and you know how much I am prepared to be patient with all players.

"I have shown that always and I will never change from being a patient person because I know patience pays off in the long run.

"He has got a full week now, eight days, to the Reading game, and we will certainly know by the middle to the end of the week whether he is going to make that."

"Shola (Ameobi) is going to play in the reserves and I am hoping he will be fit for the Reading game, maybe to start, maybe to be involved in some shape of form - and I would not rule Michael out at all."