According to news from St James' Park this morning, Michael Owen WILL start against Chelsea on Saturday, setting up an interesting Owen v John Terry confrontation.
Joe Kinnear: "Michael is almost 100 per cent fit, and his impact (against Wigan) has made life very tough for me in terms of the team I select to play against Chelsea.
Is Kinnear Seriously Considering Three Strikers At The Bridge?
By Nu Mad
Updated Thursday, 20th November 2008
"He answered us in the best possible way with his goal, and looked sharp when he came on for those 20 minutes.
"Shola Ameobi and Obafemi Martins have done very well for me since I came to the club, but Michael is the best player we have when he's fully fit.
"He is world class and, as far as I'm concerned, it's only a matter of time before he's back in the England squad.
"The only thing keeping him out at the moment is fitness, and I'm sure once he's had a run of games and proven he's sharp and strong, Fabio Capello will recall him."
Will Kinnear be tempted to go to The Bridge with all guns blazing, and use Owen with Martins and Ameobi in a 4-3-3 formation?
Kinnear: "I'm going to have to earn my money at Chelsea.
"We could go into it with three strikers, but that's risky against a world-class team like Chelsea.
"Sunderland went there recently and lost 5-0, so we can't go there and be too open. But we don't want to be too negative - that's not my style.
"It's difficult, but I'm paid to make these decisions. I left Michael on the bench last weekend and I've been hammered for it in the media, but I've never been frightened to make tough calls."
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