Owen suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury at last year's World Cup and has not figured in the current campaign, but Roeder revealed his rehabilitation is progressing ahead of schedule.

"Michael Owen has been out all week on the grass, running hard," Roeder told Sportsweek on BBC Radio Five Live.

"He's working on getting back to full fitness. Michael is running very hard every day.

"He's much happier and there's a distinct possibility we'll get a few games out of him this year. We have to be positive and Michael believes he can play this season.

"We believe he can as well but if he can't it won't be a big crisis because we didn't think after the operation he would play again this year. But he's done so well."

Roeder believes Newcastle, who are ninth in the Premiership and are still in the UEFA Cup, have acquitted themselves well this season given their lengthy injury list.