Roeder "Desperate" For Striker To Return

Last updated : 14 February 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

The 27-year-old started running this week for the first time since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the World Cup finals clash with Sweden back in June. And Roeder is delighted to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Roeder: "Because of his injury at the World Cup, I have never been allowed to write Michael Owen's name in the starting XI, which I am looking forward to doing and desperate to do."

Owen: "I enjoyed the first 10 minutes and then it started to feel like hard work. But every step you take is a step in the right direction and it is all going great at the moment."
Owen has made just 11 apearances for the Magpies since signing from Real Madrid in a £17million move in August 2005.