[kennethlindheim]

Graeme Souness believes his luck as Newcastle manager might be changing for the better as he revealed that both Michael Owen and Steven Taylor are set to return against Arsenal next weekend.

Owen has missed United's last four games with a groin strain, while Taylor has been forced out of the side for three weeks with a shoulder problem as the Magpies struggled to cope with their absence.

But with both players itching to return to the fray against the Gunners, Souness - despite the continued problems with Kieron Dyer - feels there is finally some light at the end of what has been a very long and very dark injury tunnel.

"We're very hopeful of having Michael Owen back against Arsenal and the other good news is that Steven Taylor could well be back as well," said a manager who remains upbeat despite the storm clouds which have been building up around St James's Park since the 1-0 defeat at Everton just over a week ago.


"We're very hopeful about him. He's a young boy and he's a quick healer, so it's a case of fingers crossed, but as I've said, we're positive about it. That would be a timely boost for us ahead of what is going to be another tough game.


"It's been a difficult balancing act for me as a manager. I want to be able to put out my strongest side, but I don't want to rush players back too quickly and risk seeing them ruled out for another four or five weeks. At the moment, though, we think both should be all right for the weekend."