Owen said: "I am feeling fitter and stronger at this stage of the season than I ever have before. At last it's all coming right for me again, which is the reward for all the hard work I have put in.
"To be honest, I was ready to write off the whole of this season after setting myself physical targets which had to be attained before anything else could happen. So I'm ahead of schedule.
"People claim it's been a poor season for Michael Owen due to injury. Well, I should like to point out that I've missed only two matches through the hamstring trouble, and that was some while ago.
"Everything is on the up and up. And when you mix in the fact that last summer I was at the World Cup Finals, which severely restricted any holiday, then I believe there is every reason to feel optimistic.
"Despite a couple of England fixtures in early June, I reckon I can pinch at least one month's rest this summer which should stand me in extremely good stead."
