By Matt Jones
April 14 2006

Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has confirmed he is on course to play again before the end of the season - raising hopes he will be fit for the World Cup, while Injury-plagued midfielder Kieron Dyer is fit and ready to tackle the Magpies' Easter double-header against Wigan and Sunderland.

26-year-old Michael Owen was seen wearing football boots on Thursday, for the first time since suffering a fractured metatarsal on New Year's Eve.  The injury was suffered following a collision with with England team-mate Paul Robinson as the Magpies' took on Tottenham.

Speaking to The Times, Owen said: "I have been running for about a week now, so everything is going to plan.

"I'm still on target to be playing for Newcastle this season, which, for now, is my real goal.

"My weight and my body fat levels are where they would have been even without an injury, so now it's just a question of stepping up the ball work."

Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder: "He put his boots on for the first time and worked with our physio and fitness coach. Everything went well and he's happy.

"Everyone's having a stab in the dark about when Michael will be fit again.

"If he doesn't make the target there is hysteria around the country because he's so important to our chances of winning the World Cup.

"But we are confident he will be involved (for Newcastle), although whether its the second last game of the season or the last we don't know."

MEANWHILE, midfielder Kieron Dyer, who has only played 11 matches this season (starting just four!) feels he is now ready to return having spent since February trying to get match fit.

Dyer has struggled to overcome a number of problems recently, all of which appear to have risen as a result of a pulled hamstring suffered as the Toon took on Manchester United on August 28 at St James' Park..

Speaking to the Evening Chronicle, Glenn Roeder said: "I have had a good chat with Kieron this week and he now feels he is ready to start a game for us, and I agree with that.

"He tells me he has every confidence that his legs can take it and now I must decide whether to start with him against Wigan or keep him for Monday.

"I have found that I have a good working relation with Kieron. We talk a lot and what I would love is for him to be fit at the end of the season.

"He does not seem to have been in that position much in recent seasons, and it would be great for him if a had a summer free from worrying from injuries."

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