Magpies banking on Owen

NEWCASTLE boss Graeme Souness is banking on Michael Owen beating Newcastle’s crippling injury crisis and lining up for one of the biggest games of his managerial career at St James’ Park tomorrow.

Souness expects his first Tyne-Wear derby to be every bit as big as similar occasions he has relished in Istanbul and Glasgow but believes the secret of success lies in shutting out the inevitable fiery atmosphere.

Pressure is mounting on the Magpies boss once again after defeat at Wigan last week coupled with a continuing injury crisis which this week sees hamstring victim Owen rated only “touch and go” to face Sunderland.

Souness insists he will not put Owen at risk given the club’s remarkable recent record of hamstring strains which have ruled out a host of top stars.

Souness said: “Michael has had a scan which shows him to be clear but he can feel something there and we could not take a risk if we felt he was going to damage it further.”

Craig Moore and Steve Harper became the latest players to be ruled out for a number of weeks with identical injuries this week although there is some brighter news for Souness with Emre and Nolberto Solano pushing for places in the starting line-up.

In a bid to combat the hamstring problem which Souness contends is severely hampering his side’s chances of making a bid for a Champions League spot, the club have switched training pitches. “It was the last resort, we have moved to the academy where the pitches are soil-based and not as firm,” added Souness.