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Shepherd tells England to wait until Owen proves fitness
LONDON (AFP) - Michael Owen will not play for England until he has proved his fitness for Newcastle, according to the club's chairman Freddy Shepherd.
The 27-year-old is close to making his comeback after 10 months on the sidelines with a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered playing for England in the World Cup last year.
But Shepherd is engaged in a battle with the English Football Association to try and get financial compensation for Owen's absence.
Shepherd had threatened to get a court injuction to stop Owen playing for England, but he has now softened his stance and insists only that the forward must show he is able to withstand the rigours of Premiership football before embarking on international duty.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker had hoped to feature against Chelsea on Sunday, but has put back his return to make sure he is fully fit.
Writing in Newcastle's programme for their match against Chelsea, Shepherd said: "Inevitably, media interest has focused on when Michael will play again, and the question has just as inevitably arisen as to whether and when he will be able to play for England in the summer.
"It is not a case of anyone wanting to stop Michael playing for England, the crucial point is that we have to make sure that when he does come back, he is perfectly fit and nothing less.
"We cannot afford to take the risk of what happened last season happening again this time around.
"We have had huge support from the fans on this issue between ourselves and the FA, but we are merely fighting for what we believe we are rightfully entitled to.
"Nobody will be happier than me when Michael is back in action and banging in the goals again.
"But it will only happen when the time is right for both him and Newcastle United."
Owen believes his lengthy lay-off could eventually help him become a better player because it will prolong his career.
He told the People newspaper: "I have had 10 months out and had to grit my teeth and work long hours to get back.
"Lots of people can come back from a cruciate injury, but not many people come back better from a cruciate injury. I don't think it has been a blessing in disguise, I know it has.
"I am positive this break has happened for a reason and it will prolong my career and allow me to play into my mid-30s rather than my early 30s."
Owen has used his free-time to work on his upper-body strength so he can add power to a game that was always been based on his electric pace.
He added: "It's a bit like when a sprinter comes out of the blocks, the power is generated when the upper and lower body work together. I now feel as if I have got that extra strength in my upper body.
"I'm quicker than I have been for the last two of three years and I can do more. Having speed and agility is good, but strength is important, too."
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