Unhappy Michael Owen on the way out?

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Michael Owen has been included in the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia. Owen, who only underwent surgery to resolve groin and hernia related injuries six days ago, has already returned to training.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Owen to play through pain

Michael Owen admits he is ready to play through the pain barrier over the coming weeks.

The Newcastle striker has returned to action from hernia surgery just over a week after going under the knife.

He came off the bench to score Newcastle's winner in their 3-2 win over Everton, which came after he was included in the England squad for their Euro 2008 double-header with Estonia and Russia.

Owen concedes that he will have to deal with the after-affects of the surgery.

Discomfort

"Everyone knows you can come back from surgery and play. It is just about managing the discomfort," explained the 27-year-old.

"That doesn't stop you from playing. The surgeon said as long as you can manage the pain, you can do what you want because it's not going to get any worse.

"Unbelievably, it feels great because I have been training since Thursday."

Owen does not see any issues with his injury as he prepares to feature for England twice in the next ten days.

"The surgeon tells me nothing can go wrong in terms of the op," he said.

"It is much stronger than when I went in. Believe it or not, that's how it feels.

"Even when I feel a bit tight like I did Wednesday or Thursday last week, you just plough through it and it gets better, if anything.

"I will listen to the surgeon and nobody else. She has performed thousands of operations before and she knows what she is talking about.

"I don't see any risk in me playing. It's not like I am pushing myself to get back and play for England.

"Everyone can see that coming back in eight days to play for my club shows a bit of determination, and I wanted to get out there against Everton.

"I am feeling good for both teams that I represent."

Skysports

[kennethlindheim]

Sven-Goran Eriksson reportedly wants to take Michael Owen to Manchester City in the January transfer window.

The Newcastle striker is said to be unsettled at St James' Park after reported disagreements with manager Sam Allardyce over his fitness.

And The Sun claims Eriksson will urge City's board to swoop for the England striker in January, even though he could cost as much as £15million.

If Owen does leave, Allardyce will reportedly move for Nicolas Anelka, who played under him at Bolton.

ERIKSSON LINKED WITH OWEN SWOOP | Football Transfer News, Football News, Fixtures, Results, Match Reports, Stats

[Mighty T.A.L.]

It seems Eriksson wants to make Crouch/Owen partnership...

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Newcastle chairman Chris Mort has moved to quell fresh speculation over Michael Owen's future by confirming a buy-out clause in his contract has been removed. Much was made in the summer with regards a buy-out clause in Owen's contract, at a figure thought to be £9million, but Mort has confirmed this arrangement is now null and void.

[kennethlindheim]

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce says striker Michael Owen will need to prove his long-term fitness before he is offered a new contract by the club.
Owen has played just a handful of games since joining the Magpies from Real Madrid in 2005 because of injury.

The 27-year-old has less than two years left on his current deal, but Allardyce is in no hurry to tie him down.

"I'd like to see him play for the next 20 games on the trot or more and then enter into a new contract," he said.

"The most important thing is that he's available for selection every week and we can control it."

"Whether that means we lose him at the end of the day or not is non-negotiable because if it happens it happens but we want to see him fit, playing and scoring on a regular basis.

"When Michael is fit and scoring every week all managers would want him in their side," said Allardyce, whose comments were reported in several newspapers.

Owen has been sidelined with knee, foot and groin injuries since agreeing a £17m move to Newcastle in August 2005.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Newcastle United | Owen is told to wait for new deal

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Seems right. Owen ain't exactly cheap on the wage list.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Owen hits back at critics

Michael Owen has hit back at the critics who claim he is more interested in playing for England than Newcastle.

And the striker insists that reports of a rift between himself and Magpies manager Sam Allardyce over his swift return from groin surgery are wide of the mark.

Owen went under the knife for a double stomach operation in Germany, but stunned observers by making a goalscoring return for his club side eight days later.

He then linked up with Steve McClaren's side for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia, but the critics suggested his rapid recovery was more to do with a desire to play for his country than his club.

Misrepresented

Owen told the News of the World: "Suddenly I am being portrayed as a football rebel - someone who wants to take on the world in general and Sam Allardyce in particular. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"Over the last few weeks I have been misrepresented in a way that has made me feel very frustrated and, at times, angry."

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker was astonished that what he felt should have been good news - his swift recovery from surgery - became embroiled in a club versus country row.

Wedge

He said: "It soon became a massive negative with accusations that I had rushed back too soon so I could play in the England games against Estonia and Russia.

"The spin was put on it that I was more concerned about playing for my country than my club. As a result of that people have tried to drive a wedge between myself and Sam Allardyce.

"I recognise that my club manager wants me to be fit and available for every game for Newcastle. And, believe it or not, so do I.

"What I must point out, though, is that I am fortunate enough to play for two teams - England and Newcastle.

"And as long as I am fit, I will try my hardest to play well and score goals for both."

Committed

And Owen is determined to win over the St James' Park faithful by scoring the goals to bring some elusive silverware to the Magpies.

He said: "If I can score the goals that will help them win a trophy or two, that will prove how much I am committed to the club.

"I would love to do just that. But at the same time I want to help England to win something as well.

"And I still reckon it is possible to enjoy the best of both of those worlds."

Source: Skysports

[kyan]

Magpies set for Owen compensation

Owen was out for close to a season for Newcastle
Newcastle could receive up to £100,000 per week in compensation during the period their striker Michael Owen is out with injury.
Owen suffered a thigh strain during England's 1-0 win over Austria last Friday that will rule him out of action for about four weeks.

The Football Association said its insurance policy would cover the costs.

"This figure can be up to £100,000 a week but it is not the FA who pay this money out," said an FA spokesman.

Newcastle were embroiled in a war of words with the FA over compensation during Owen's almost season-long absence after he sustained knee ligament damage during the 2006 World Cup.

The Magpies eventually received £6m from the FA, world football governing body Fifa and their insurer.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Newcastle United | Magpies set for Owen compensation

Well he's not costing Newcastle too much then £6M here, £100k there, a few more and u'll have recouped his transfer fee!

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Michael Owen will open talks over a new £20million four-year contract at Newcastle United. Owner Mike Ashley is ready to tie Owen to a £110,000-a-week deal to replace the one which expires at the end of next season

[kyan]

2 goals in the derby today, 1 of them a very lucky penalty but the first a fantastic header, and he's continued his fine run of form.

He's played around 15 games on the trot and is getting back to goalscoring form.

Is this the return of the Michael Owen of old, or is it just a temporary renaissance?

At the start of the season Newcastle and England fans were promised the worst of his injury problems were behind him and it didn't look it at first but things are finally on the up again for him. Although it's a bit too soon to start calling him England's saviour or whatever atm...

[NJ10]

He'd be best off forgetting about England for the time being. There is no major tournament this summer, so he has plenty of time to play his way into the team. Still there is no one who is better at scoring goals than him, and in the last few weeks he has been outstanding. Today he was playing like a box to box midfielder, showing great awareness, touch and of course finishing well. That was a superb header (terrible penalty though!).

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Michael Owen remains the wealthiest footballer in the UK.

Owen is worth £41m according to The Sunday Times Rich List, which will be published next Sunday. He has increased his bank balance by £4m in the past year and is ranked 12th in the country among the most wealthy people aged 30 and under.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and his girlfriend Coleen McLoughlin are joint 13th in the ranking with £35m. They are tied in the Young Rich List with Princes William and Harry and Honda Formula One driver Jenson Button.

Rooney's teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is a new entry in the 100 Young Rich at No 34. The Portuguese player is worth £15m.

[kennethlindheim]

NEWCASTLE striker Michael Owen is today reported to be ready to quit after being told he'll have to take a pay cut.

Reports over the weekend suggested that reducing the club's wage bill was one of the topics discussed by Toon manager Kevin Keegan at his meeting with owner Mike Ashley last week.

England striker Owen, who is on a reported £120,000 a week, is said to have been asked to take a £40,000 a week pay cut as the new regime tries to implement a new wage structure.

Owen is unlikely to be happy with this, and, according to today's Daily Mail, his boyhood heroes Everton are among possible contenders to sign him.

He has already been linked with a cut-price £7m move to Manchester United, though Keegan has dismissed this.

Owen to quit Toon for Everton in wages row? - Shields Gazette