[kennethlindheim]

Glenn Roeder is happy with Michael Owen's progress and has suggested he could be fit to resume his Newcastle United career by the end of next week.

The England man has been on the sidelines since fracturing a metatarsal against Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Eve.

Owen's forecast return date has continually been put back, but there would finally appear to be light at the end of the tunnel.

"At the moment, Michael has done everything our medical team and fitness coach Paul Winsper have asked of him in the past couple of weeks," Roeder told the club's website.

"He is now running in a straight line and striking the ball with pace and tomorrow, we are hoping to hear from his surgeon that he can start twisting and turning again.

"This would mean he could train properly with the first team again from the start of next week and by the end of it, be close to being fit."

Newcastle face Birmingham City a week on Saturday, with Chelsea making the trip to Tyneside on May 7, and it would be a welcome boost to Magpies and England fans to see Owen make a return before the end of the season.

Strikers are thin on the ground for Newcastle at present, with Alan Shearer undergoing a scan on Thursday to see if he can play again before retirement, but Roeder will not force Owen into a rushed return.

"We will not rush him and even with Alan Shearer injured, there is no question of us putting any pressure on him," added Roeder.