Roeder says rumours of Owen injury setback ‘complete rubbish’

NEWCASTLE boss Glenn Roeder insists England striker Michael Owen has not suffered a setback in his recovery from injury after he was left out of the reserve team.

There had been speculation the 27-year-old would line up for the second string at Middlesbrough last night a week after making his comeback from knee surgery in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

However, Owen’s name, unlike that of fellow long-term absentee Shola Ameobi, was not among the 16 when the squad was announced yesterday morning, although the Magpies insist his absence was not sinister.