Michael Owen has dismissed reports claiming he could be a doubt for his summer’s World Cup finals, insisting he is on course to be fit by the end of March.

Newcastle striker Owen has been out of action since breaking his foot at Tottenham on New Year’s Eve.

He said:”I’m not far off jogging, maybe another four or five days, maybe a week and I might start light running. I’m still on course.

“I have done plenty of worrying but I can see the finishing line and I am heading for that now.

“With bones you do get quick healers but once it’s got a crack it takes a set time.

“If I can be back playing by the end of March then I would be delighted.

“When I lay on the bed at Tottenham and knew I had broken it that was the worst 20 minutes of the whole process because you wonder how bad it is.”

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