Newcastle confirm Owen cruciate ligament injury

Newcastle today confirmed Michael Owen has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after the England striker was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup.

Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd claimed it was “too early” to say how long Owen will be out of action for after sustaining the “serious injury” during the first minute of England’s 2-2 draw against Sweden in Cologne.

Shepherd said: “Michael is flying back from Germany today and sadly his World Cup is over.

“We’ve been informed by the FA that Michael has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, but at this stage it’s too early to say how long he will be out for, although it is a serious injury.

“He’ll come home and back into our care and will be assessed by our club medical staff at some point in the next couple of days following his return.”

The 26-year-old, who missed the second half of last season with a metatarsal injury, flew back to the team hotel in Baden-Baden this morning and underwent an MRI scan at the Max Grundig hospital at Buhlertal.