The England forward underwent surgery for the second time yesterday to repair the cruciate knee ligament he ruptured during the World Cup finals.

And Roeder got confirmation that his rehabilitation can now begin in earnest following a positive phonecall from Colorado, the base of Dr Richard Steadman, Owen's surgeon.

“I’ve spoken to our club doctor Roddy MacDonald across in Colorado and he gave me the fantastic news that Michael’s operation went extremely well,” Roeder said.

“As far as Michael is concerned, he can now start to focus on playing again.

“It’s going to be a long haul but he can start to focus on that.

“And I look forward to the day when I can write his name on a Newcastle United teamsheet.”

Owen will make an immediate start to his intensive rehabilitation programme in the United States and will return to Tyneside in due course later next week.

The 26-year-old is likely to miss the entire season following the freak injury which saw him stretchered off in the first minute of England's 2-2 draw with Sweden.

But his return will be welcomed with open arms by both Roeder and McClaren, who watched England struggle in Macedonia last night. Peter Crouch scored the winning goal but his strike partner Jermain Defoe was anonymous.

With Wayne Rooney the only other world class forward McClaren can call upon, depsite his suspension from yesterday's European Championship qualifier, the former Middlesbrough manager will be counting down the days until Owen's return.

Owen’s career at Newcastle has been dogged by injury, making just ten starts for the north east club since his £16 million transfer from Real Madrid last year.

He scored seven goals in that time before breaking his metatarsal at the turn of the year in a Premiership match against Tottenham.

The fracture ruled him out until the end of April and he travelled to Germany for the World Cup finals clearly not match fit.

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