Owen breaks his foot and will miss 2-3 Months
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-01 12:22

Michael Owen, a striker for the English national team, faces a lengthy layoff after breaking his right foot yesterday during Newcastle United's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

England striker Michael Owen could be out of action for up to 12 weeks after breaking a toe in Newcastle United's 2-0 Premiership defeat away to Tottenham at White Hart Lane. [AFP]

Owen, who was injured shortly before halftime in a collision with Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson, will be out for two to three months after fracturing his fifth metatarsal, according to a report on the BBC.

The injury is unlikely to threaten his participation in the World Cup, although Newcastle's assistant manager, Alan Murray, said the bone might need to be splinted.

"It might have to be pinned, which would lengthen the recovery," he told Sky Sports. "We're looking at 8 to 10 weeks if things go well, longer if they don't."

Owen's injury is a major blow to struggling Newcastle, which paid $29 million to bring Owen back to England from Real Madrid in August.

"It's a mighty blow," Newcastle Manager Graeme Souness said. "It's an absolute disaster for him and an absolute disaster for the club. It's a dark day for us."

Despite Newcastle's mediocre form, the 26-year-old Owen scored seven league goals, including three against West Ham United earlier this month. Owen also had two late goals in England's stunning 3-2 victory over Argentina in a friendly international in November.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard sustained the same injury in September 2004, and Wayne Rooney limped out of the 2004 European Championships. And David Beckham, England's captain, recovered just in time from a broken second metatarsal to take part in the 2002 World Cup.

CHELSEA CARRIES ON Chelsea continued its march toward a second consecutive Premier League title with a 2-0 victory at home against struggling Birmingham City.

Chelsea leads by 11 points over Manchester United, which beat Bolton Wanderers, 4-1.

In other games yesterday, Aston Villa held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw, and Darren Bent scored one goal and assisted on another as Charlton Athletic defeated West Ham United, 2-0.

Liverpool, the defending European champion, earned its 10th consecutive league victory by edging West Bromwich Albion, 1-0.

Blackburn was a surprise 3-0 winner at Wigan Athletic; Portsmouth beat Fulham, 1-0; and Middlesbrough tied Manchester City, 0-0.

Last-place Sunderland lost to Everton, 1-0, on Tim Cahill's goal in added time.

A FINE FINISH Rangers, the defending champion, ended a successful year with a 3-0 victory at home over Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League. With the victory, Rangers moved up to finish in fourth place.