Owen realistic about comeback date
Owen realistic about comeback date
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Tuesday, 25, Jul 2006 10:42
Wales and Newport Gwent loose forward Michael Owen is set for an uphill battle to be fit for his country's forthcoming autumn internationals.
Owen has been sidelined for up to three months after a shoulder injury flared up as he returned for training with the Dragons.
That lengthy recovery period may mean that the player, who shot to prominence on the international stage through his gritty displays on the 2005 British Lions tour, may miss four Wales games scheduled for November.
The 2005 Grand Slam winners are due to face Australia, a Pacific Islands XV, Canada and New Zealand as they build up to next year's Six Nations.
Dragons new coach Paul Turner will feel Owen's absence even more keenly with the player unable to help his side improve on last year's eighth place in the Celtic League.
Surgery is required if the problem is to be solved in the long-term and the player has been booked in for an operation on August 11th.
"I'm still holding out a bit of hope that I might be able to get back ahead of schedule," Owen said.
"I won't give up yet but I've got to be sure the shoulder is right. So the Six Nations is the more realistic goal."
The athletic 25-year-old captained the national side through their 2006 campaign with winger Gareth Thomas unavailable through injury.