Owen op goes 'extremely well'

Michael Owen can set his sights on a return to action after his second operation to repair his cruciate knee ligament “went extremely well”.

The Newcastle and England striker travelled to America for the second time this summer to undergo the second part of two-stage surgery undertaken by specialist Dr Richard Steadman.

The 26-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament during the 2-2 draw with Sweden in the World Cup in June and there have been fears he will miss the entire Premiership season.

However, Owen can now begin his rehabilitation after Dr Steadman operated as the forward responded well to previous treatment.

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder was thrilled by the news of Owen’s progress.

He told the club’s official website, www.nufc.co.uk: “I’ve spoken to our club doctor Roddy MacDonald across in Colorado and he gave me the fantastic news that Michael’s operation went extremely well.

“As far as Michael is concerned, he can now start to focus on playing again. It’s going to be a long haul but he can start to focus on that. I look forward to the day when I can write his name on a Newcastle United teamsheet.”

Owen will make an immediate start to his intensive rehabilitation programme in the United States and will return to Tyneside in due course later next week.

Owen’s career at Newcastle has been dogged by injury, making just 10 starts for the Magpies – although he scored seven goals in that time – after breaking his metatarsal at the turn of the year.

The injury ruled him out until the end of April and he travelled to Germany for the World Cup finals clearly not match fit.