MICHAEL OWEN is ready to destroy Chelseas title dream
after making a stunning return to action. The Newcastle ace, out
with a knee injury since last summers World Cup, took just 10
minutes to score his first goal in 311 days in a friendly with
Gretna yesterday.
England ace Owen, 27, is now eyeing a starting slot for the Chelsea
clash on April 22. He is also set for a place on the bench for
Saturdays trip to Portsmouth.
The £16million hitman played 70 minutes against Scottish side
Gretna. He also helped team-mate Shola Ameobi score on his comeback
in a 4-1 win behind closed doors at Toons training ground.
Gretna midfielder Erik Paartalu was blown away by Owens display.
He said: He didnt look rusty at all. He looked very sharp. Owen
had not scored since Englands friendly with Jamaica last June
and his return can only be good news for under-fire national boss
Steve McClaren.
The Three Lions play Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifier on June 6
giving Owen two months to get fully fit, although Toon boss Glenn
Roeder is keen to wrap him in cotton wool. While McClaren will be
buzzing at the prospect of getting Owen back into the fold, it will
create a headache for Geordies chairman Freddy Shepherd.
