Michael Owen Claims He Is Fittest Newcastle United Player At The Moment – Eager To Play For England

Having put on 10lbs of "pure muscle" during his 10-month spell out of action, striker Michael Owen has revealed he felt “a much stronger player” in Newcastle United’s Monday night Premiership loss at Reading.

The 27-year-old England international told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "I have actually put on a lot of weight since I have been out, probably about 10lb, which is a lot for a lad who is 5ft 8in.

"I felt a different player - a much stronger player.

"I felt I could hold people off, win headers and back into people. I don't think any defender could get a free header in for the half-a-dozen balls that did come my way.

"That was actually unheard of in my younger days because I got knocked about quite a lot.

"I've built everything up and I still feel as quick."

He added: "I don't think there is anybody at the club as fit as me at the moment.

"I am 100% fit and I have been for a while, I have just been cautious.

"If anything, the only thing that was going to go wrong was a slight groin niggle which I picked up two weeks ago, and has cleared up.

"The knee injury is firmly behind me."

On Steve McClaren likely to pick him for England’s friendly against Brazil on June 1 now that Andrew Johnson could undergo ankle operation as indicated by Everton, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid man said: "And if I'm fit and playing for Newcastle, obviously I'd jump at the chance to play for my country. It's a fantastic honour."