Owen eyes goal bonanza on Newcastle and England return

LONDON, Sep 18 (Reuters) Striker Michael Owen said his long-term knee injury was just a pause in his career and that he would be back to his best in 2007.

Owen, who ruptured a cruciate ligament in the second minute of England's World Cup match against Sweden in June, is recovering from surgery in the United States.

Convinced of a successful return to the game, Owen yesterday wrote in a column in The Times: ''I am mentally strong -- tougher than most, I like to feel -- and my ambitions and expectations are exactly the same as they were the day my knee gave way against Sweden.

''I have heard a few doubts expressed, and I suppose that was inevitable, but anyone who thought that I had a chance of breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record for England six months ago should still believe it is possible.'' Charlton, who played 106 times for England, has held that scoring record for more than 36 years since scoring his 49th goal for England in April 1970.

Owen, 26, has scored 36 times for England in his 80 England matches and is fourth on the all-time scoring list, following Charlton, Gary Lineker (48 goals) and Jimmy Greaves (44 goals).

He is also full of confidence about scoring regularly in the Premier Leaguie again when he's fit.

''Why shouldn't I return to score 30 goals a season for Newcastle United? No one talks about (Ruud) Van Nistelrooy being any less of a player after his year out with a cruciate. No one says he has lost half a yard of pace.'' ''I expect to have plenty of years left at the top of the game and the hard work has already begun to ensure that I return stronger than ever.'' Despite his lengthy spell on the sidelines, Owen added: ''I don't suffer low periods when I am out with injuries.

''That is part of the mental strength that has served me so well and which, I am certain, will see me banging in the goals in 2007.'' Reuters AB GC1457