Owen 'to return in three weeks'

Owen has not rushed his latest comeback from injury

Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder believes Michael Owen will return from his broken foot injury in three weeks.

The England striker, 26, has been sidelined since breaking his metatarsal bone in December and was considered a doubt for the World Cup in the summer.

But Roeder told BBC Radio Five Live: "Michael is still injured along with Kieron Dyer and Steven Carr.

"But I'm very positive that within the next three weeks everyone will be back for the last month of the season."

Midfielder Dyer has been out of action with a hamstring injury since February while Irish full-back Carr has a groin problem.

Newcastle had previously dismissed reports that record £17m signing Owen had suffered a setback in his recovery from a broken foot.

Owen reportedly missed training early in March to consult the surgeon who operated on the metatarsal injury suffered in January.

Caretaker boss Glenn Roeder then told Newcastle's website: "To suggest Michael's had a setback is ridiculous.

"Michael had a scan on Monday as part of his programme and there was nothing of any concern on it."

Roeder added: "It was nothing out of the ordinary that Michael missed a couple of days training, his surgeon is based in Manchester.

"In modern football with all the technology we have, Michael's programme was mapped out right back from the time of his injury.