Michael Owen has taken the first tentative steps on his long, hard road to recovery. The Newcastle United striker was at the club's training ground yesterday, and he will give his colleagues his full support in tonight's InterToto Cup tie with Lillestrom at St James' Park.

Owen has had an operation to mend his cartilage injury, and he is determined to stay in good nick before the bigger op for his cruciate ligament in about six week's time. And he says: "After coming back from my operation in America it's nice to be back at the training ground and link up with the rest of the lads again. "It has given me a lift seeing them again and I am looking forward, not back. "I must thank our fans for all their support in the past couple of weeks. "The players have a big game tonight. It is a difficult game and I am hoping they will do the business."

Owen will be in his seat before Belgian referee Joeri Van Der Velde gets the game under way at 5pm, and he will see some of his colleagues in shirts with new numbers - Albert Luque 7, James Milner 11 and Nicky Butt 22.

Fans can pay at the turnstiles tonight - Sir John Hall North West corner 9 and 13, Sir John Hall North East corner 35 and 37, south east corner 51 and 53, south west corner 70 and 72. Tickets are £15 for adults, £13 for senior citizens and £5 for youngsters.