MICHAEL OWEN faces a January D-Day which will determine if he plays for Newcastle this season.

The England striker will have a check-up to see whether his knee surgery has recovered well enough to step up his training.

If the specialist reckons Owen's cruciate ligament and cartilage repairs look good, he could push on and be fit by April.

Owen, 27, has had two ops on the right knee he injured playing for England in the World Cup.

But Toon boss Glenn Roeder is hopeful of a successful return before May because of Owen's positive attitude.

Roeder said: "I see Michael once or twice a day when I pop into the physios' room to assess how Emergency Ward 10 is going.

"When I ask him how is it going he comes up with all the right answers.

"He is adamant there is a chance we can get him fit before the end of the season and that would be a massive bonus.

"But we know there is the potential that it might not happen.

"It is important that his aim is to get back before the end of the season.

"He is right to set that target and I hope he makes it. If he doesn't it won't be for a lack of graft.

"He is nowhere near kicking the ball. In fact he is not doing much jogging.

"He is concentrating on getting the knee straight and flat and putting strength back in the leg."