Owen fit and strong

Posted on 30th August 2007

Following his goal for Newcastle United in their 2-0 Carling Cup win against Barnsley yesterday night Michael Owen insists that he never lost faith that his long run without a goal would end. The England striker found the back of the net for his club for the first time since December 2005. The forward also says he is fit and strong.

Owen has struggled with foot and knee injuries over the last year-and-a-half, but the former Real Madrid and Liverpool forward admits he was always confident he would rediscover his scoring touch.

“I’m playing and scoring, the two things I am paid to do, and when you've done both of those, you go home happy with your night's work,” Owen said. “The feeling of playing and scoring certainly wasn’t one of relief. I know I’m fine. I’m fit and strong, and I know if I’m those things then that adds up to me scoring goals, which I've always done. I’m not relieved in any way, I’m just happy I can go home like any other player looking forward to training and the game on Saturday, because I haven’t been able to do that for some time.”

England duties will no doubt beckon now for Owen with the national side due to play European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Russia. However Owen says his priority is with Newcastle United.

“I hope the England manager (Steve McClaren) was pleased, but my initial concern is playing for Newcastle because if I do not play for Newcastle, I don’t play for England,” Owen added. “It’s in that order. You have got to do well for your club or you are not picked for your country.”

Earlier Newcastle United news

Cacapa will be a big name says Allardyce
Ramage set for long spell out
Geremi setting an example for N’Zogbia
Martins staying put
Roeder’s game plan fails to work
Dyer aiming for another capital result
New defender in it for the long term
Albert Luque set to stay with Magpies
Roeder is talks for a defender
Roeder warns Tottenham off Duff
Harper was ready for Harewood
Roeder denies racism cover up
Roeder not set to panic sign after shambles
Milner looking to progress
The hardest shot I’ve seen says Roeder