Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen has taken a significant step to return from injury and should play for Newcastle again before the end of the season.

With the World Cup only 56 days away, 26-year-old Owen has worn his football boots for the first time since breaking a bone in his foot on December 31, last year.

Owen did some light training under the watchful eye of Newcastle physio Derek Wright.

“It's onwards and upwards for Michael. I'm confident he'll play for Newcastle before the end of the season,” said Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder.

Owen was initially expected to be out for eight to 10 weeks after having a metal pin inserted in his right foot - but his return to fitness has taken longer than expected.

He had a second operation in March to tighten the pin, sparking fears that he might miss the World Cup finals in Germany.

But Roeder added: “Michael put his boots on and did some running with them on.

“He did a very little bit of ball work as well and after the session he was very happy.”

Newcastle have five Premiership fixtures left this season, the last of them at home to Chelsea on May 7, with England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson having to name his squad by May 15.

England's World Cup campaign begins against Paraguay on 10 June, with matches against Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden in the group stages.

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