Royals boss fears Owen charge

Reading manager Steve Coppell believes Newcastle will boast the freshest player in the Barclays Premiership if Michael Owen makes his long-awaited comeback against the Royals on Monday.

The striker has been missing since suffering a knee injury in action for England in the World Cup finals 10 months ago and his absence has coincided with an unwanted goal drought for the national team.

Newcastle have also struggled to make headway in the Premiership without him and could have dropped as low as seventh from bottom by the time they kick off at the Madejski Stadium.

Fans fear Owen may not be able to regain all of his trademark pace but Coppell believed the stage was perfect for the 27-year-old to make an immediate impact for club and then country.

He said: “At the end of a long season there is a certain level of, not weariness, but ’not-freshness’ – it’s a subtle difference – and a lot of clubs are in that not-fresh mode.

“But here is one player at the end of the season who has the most reasons to be fresh.

“He will have worked hard on the training ground and will be desperate to do the same on the actual pitch.”

Reading lost 3-2 at St James’ Park in December when a late Emre strike proved the winner.

Coppell added: “We played well there but we didn’t get the result and it is all about results.

“There have been certain games this year when we have been fortunate to get the results we did so it does even itself out.

“This is certainly not a revenge mission. Newcastle are a good team with good individuals but everyone would say they also have the ability to be inconsistent so I just hope it is one of their off nights whoever they choose.”

Coppell would give no clue as to whether Steve Sidwell would feature on Monday, with the midfielder having been strongly linked with a move to Newcastle when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The player himself however made it clear he was prepared to play every minute. He told the Reading Evening Post: “It doesn’t change anything for me.

“Newcastle are one of many clubs that have been linked with me but I will just go into it the same as I do every game – wanting the team to do well and get the three points.”

Striker Leroy Lita completes a three-match ban while defender Graeme Murty and winger Glen Little remain sidelined by injury.