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Owen worry for Toon D-Day
Newcastle United, 13:45, May 20, 2009 ,
Newcastle are hoping to have key striker Michael Owen fit for their relegation must-win game at Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Magpies head to Villa Park with their Premier League status hanging by a thread and know a defeat will definitely send them down to the Championship.
Temporary boss Alan Shearer will want Owen fit for the game and a scan on the former Liverpool ace's hamstring showed that there is no long-term damage, but he is not expected to resume full training until the end of the week.
With fellow striker Andy Carroll ruled out for six weeks, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka will start in attack against Martin O'Neill's side if Owen doesn't make it.
Newcastle assistant boss Iain Dowie said: "Michael's scan results are positive, so we're hopeful. But he's yet to train and he's not 100 per cent.
"It will go down to the wire, definitely. We want him - he's the club captain and he's a born goalscorer.
"If we don't have him, so be it. We can go in with Oba and Mark, who would have had a goal a piece on another day on Saturday."
A draw on Sunday could be enough for Newcastle if Hull lose to Manchester United and punters wishing to use their £10 free bet may be tempted to back Shearer's side to get what's required and beat the drop.