MICHAEL Owen remains happy with the progress he is making from his long-term knee injury.

The Magpies' record signing has been sidelined since rupturing cruciate knee ligaments playing for England in last summer's World Cup in Germany.

But now, after two operations and hours of rehab work in the gym, Owen is gearing up to join in training with his Toon colleagues.

The 27-year-old striker said: "I am sprinting in straight lines and kicking balls as hard as I want to, so that is a great sign.

"I am just doing all the twisting and turning at present, another week of that and hopefully I can dip in and out of training.

"I will build into training and see how it goes from there."

But the former Real Madrid ace is hoping that his team-mates take a sympathetic approach to his return.

He added: "I will ask the Newcastle lads not to kick me too hard to start with!"