Owen closing on Newcastle return

Owen has started eight games for Newcastle this season

Newcastle United have confirmed that England striker Michael Owen could return to action before the end of the festive season programme.

Owen has not played since tearing a thigh muscle while playing for England against Austria 16 November.

But Magpies manager Sam Allardyce has revealed the 28-year-old could feature from the substitutes' bench against either Chelsea or Manchester City.

Allardyce said: "He could play soon. We will consider using him sparingly."

Newcastle play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, before hosting Manchester City at St James' Park on 2 January.

"It is a balance of the fact that he has been out for a number of weeks without any match practice," added Allardyce.

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"We could see Michael in action, but inbetween the next three games we have no chance to put on a behind-closed-doors game to give him the chance to get the feel of playing in an 11 v 11.

"At the end of the day, when fit and given the opportunity to join the squad and make a contribution, with a goalscorer like him, it could be a major one for us."

Meanwhile, Magpies winger Damien Duff has admitted the players must take responsibility for the club's poor form.

The pressure on Allardyce intensified after his team managed to take just a single point from their matches against struggling Derby and Wigan over Christmas.

But the Republic of Ireland international said: "It's a massive club, but you cannot just blame the gaffer. We are the ones out on the pitch, so we are all in it together.

"We are right behind him [Allardyce] and we just want to put it right for him. He cannot take all the flak.

"We are the ones on the pitch - so don't hammer him, hammer us. The players have to stand up and be counted as well."