MICHAEL OWEN will return to hospital on crutches today but, before anyone starts fearing the worst for England’s prospects at the World Cup this summer, the forward has predicted that he will still be back playing for Newcastle United before the end of the season.

Speaking for the first time since he underwent a minor operation on his broken foot on Friday night, Owen issued an upbeat bulletin. England will be relying on their leading goalscorer in Germany this summer and Owen sees no reason why he should not be at his best when the tournament kicks off.

“I have to admit that I was a bit down when the surgeon rang last week to say that he was advising me to go back into hospital,” Owen said. “But it was my brother who pointed out that there are still 11 weeks until the World Cup starts. I should be back in four. That leaves plenty of time to get my full fitness and, as for scoring goals, I have been doing that all my life and I will have all the same instincts when I am 50.

“There is always a scare or two before a tournament but, if this is as bad as it gets for England, then we should be pretty well off.”

Eager, too, to add to his ten Barclays Premiership appearances, and seven goals, for Newcastle, Owen hopes that Friday’s operation will hasten his comeback. His recovery from the injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Eve had been progressing quicker than anyone expected until three weeks ago, when he felt a twinge.

X-rays showed nothing untoward but doctors decided last week that the screw in his foot should be replaced and tightened in order to speed up the healing process. Owen will return to hospital today to have a protective cover fitted, but he will be straight back on to the exercise bike and into the pool.

“There is just one bit of the bone that needs another helping hand and Friday’s operation, which went well, should do that,” he said. “I expect to be playing in four weeks, which, hopefully, gives me the chance to finish the season with Newcastle. The club and the fans have been great to me and I want to pay them back.”

Whenever he returns, Sven-Göran Eriksson’s insistence on a four-week break before the World Cup has worked out well. It should also give extra recovery time to Ashley Cole, who is the England head coach’s other main fitness concern from his starting XI.

Owen, 25, has scored 35 goals in his 75 international appearances, including four at his previous World Cup tournaments. David Beckham’s broken metatarsal overshadowed the build-up to the 2002 finals and undermined England when they played in Japan and South Korea, but Owen does not believe there will be any similarity with his situation.

“I have heard people compare it to David’s injury and ask whether the manager should be taking players if they are not fully fit,” Owen said. “I’m not expecting that to be an issue. I am expecting to go to Germany 100 per cent fit.”