Fit Again Owen Raring To Go

Despite not featuring for Newcastle in pre-season, striker Michael Owen is aiming for all three points at Old Trafford next weekend as Newcastle begin their Premier League campaign against the champions.



The injury-prone striker looked to be approaching something close to his best towards the end of last season as he finished the campaign with 11 league goals from 24 appearances.

However, a recent calf injury has meant he has missed most of Newcastle’s pre-season including yesterday’s 2-1 victory over Valencia. Speaking to the Sunday Sun, however, he revealed he was returning to fitness and hoping to play a part in his side’s opening game of the Premier League. He revealed: “I’ve had to go steadily but this last week I’ve been running more and more quickly and continuing to progress; Manchester United is what we’re aiming for.”

After suffering an injury plagued career so far at Newcastle, Owen will be hoping for a long run in the side this season and admitted he was raring to go and looking forward to the new season.

“Physically I’m fine” said the Toon striker before adding, “In fact I’ve almost had to be reined in, but always in the back of all our minds has been that you don’t want to be pushing further than your body tells you to.”

Whilst Owen appears to be physically fit he may be short on match fitness having missed Newcastle’s pre-season. Yet despite this he is desperate to play in Newcastle’s opening game against the champions, who he openly admitted he had huge admiration for. Owen confessed: “They are the champions of England and Europe and in my view the best team in Europe.”

Yet despite Owen's praise for Manchester United he did admit that the opening day of the season might be the best time to play them. He revealed: “But the first game of a new season could be just the time to play them, when they might not be firing on all cylinders.”