Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Tue 05 May 2007Owen back but to no availReading 1 Newcastle Utd 0:Michael Owen's long-awaited return provided a chink of light at the end of Newcastle's gloomy season - but he still could not prevent a 12th away defeat in the Premiership.Although Owen ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament playing against Sweden in the World Cup last June, this was his first club start since New Year's Eve 2005 when he suffered a metatarsal injury. It was an encouraging enough comeback, particularly in the first-half when he made plenty of his trademark darting runs, although he became increasingly anonymous as the game wore on.