You Have to Wonder When Michael Owen will Play Again

It is hard to be optimistic these days about Michael Owen’s future. The Newcastle United striker has spent more time in the medical exam room than the locker room the past couple of years and it is a very real possibility that he will not step a foot on the pitch this entire season.

Owen, who did all sorts of nasty damage to his knee playing for England in the World Cup, is to undergo a second surgery in the next couple of weeks. This leaves Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder in the position of having to preach patient while his star forward’s body heals.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: “It’s a long-term injury. I don’t know if he (Owen) will play again this season.

“He’s getting the best possible treatment and will have the best surgeon in the world operating on him.

“Michael has an injury that will take a fair bit of time to repair. If we put a date on it and we say that he will be back by next March and then he’s not fit, then it will cause more problems.”

At the tender age of 26, Owen should be hitting his prime, but instead it looks increasingly like he is another wonderful athlete whose career will be limited by injury. He might come back, but I really doubt that he will ever gain the form that made him one of the best young strikers in the world.

With Owen out of the picture and Dick Kuyt signing with Liverpool, there is little wonder why some in the Newcastle camp are feeling a bit of doom and gloom these days.

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Category: English Premier League