Kinnear: Owen all ready to start against Chelsea

November 20, 2008

According to Joe Kinnear, England International Michael Owen is fit and all set to get a berth in the starting lineup of Newcastle United.

Newcastle will be taking on current leaders in the Premier League table, Chelsea, on Saturday. Kinnear feels that it will not be just a case of a ‘damage limitation’ while playing against the Blues.

Magpies Boss Kinnear believes that Owen, who scored his season’s 6th goal against Wigan after coming off the bench during a 2-2 draw at St James’s Park, is all ready to make his first start since the early part of October. Since October, he has been out with a groin niggle.

28-year-old’s wait for a start will finally come at a stadium where his club has failed to win for 22 years.

Kinnear said, ‘I’ll say he’s getting close to being 100% fit.’

‘Michael has been frustrated recently, as he was getting close to perfect fitness level. But, now he’s better and sharper.’

‘He has got his own private coach with whom he’s been doing special work prior to the start of the training. This shows his professionalism and love of the game.’

Sunderland, Newcastle’s derby rivals, has already been thrashed 5-0 by Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the season. However, Kinnear is not seeing the game as forgone conclusion.

‘What Chelsea did to Sunderland was frightening. But, I’ve never backed away from any challenge, and I won’t go into this match with damage limitation in my mind.’

‘I’ll be going there for getting decent results. Newcastle has never won in 22 years at Stamford Bridge. But, records are meant to be broken.’

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