Newcastle striker Michael Owen will have no fears about returning to the scene where his injury problems of recent years began.The 28-year-old will run out at White Hart Lane for Sunday's Premier League clash with Tottenham for the first time since he fractured his metatarsal there on December 31, 2005.

Owen was injured in a collision with England team-mate Paul Robinson and spent five months on the sidelines as he battled his way back to fitness just in time for the following summer's World Cup finals.

But all his hard work proved in to be vain when he ruptured knee ligaments in Germany and found himself facing another 10-month lay-off.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker has endured a forensic examination of his form since returning to fitness, with England boss Fabio Capello yet to be persuaded that he should be an integral member of his strongest side.

However, club boss Kevin Keegan has no doubts about the man whose goal helped to seal the first win of his second spell as manager against Fulham last weekend, and he is a near certainty to start on Sunday.

But while Spurs may hold some bad memories for Owen, the £17million man will have no qualms about his return.

He said: "Looking back at that day at Spurs, it was a bad part of my career, as it probably set the ball rolling for all the injuries - the broken foot and cruciate - I have had at Newcastle.

"It was a troubled time, but certainly I don't believe it's an unlucky place.

"I have played there many times, and scored goals there before.

"I am looking forward to it - I won't be concerned going into the game. We have had a decent week and pushed up the table a little bit."

Owen took his tally for the season to eight with his 83rd-minute header last Saturday, and Keegan will hope for more of the same as his side attempts to build upon a return of four points from their last two games.

He has formed a three-pronged attack alongside Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins in the last two games, but could find himself battling international colleague Jonathan Woodgate in north London.

The former Magpies and Middlesbrough defender has proved a big hit at Spurs, and Owen knows he and his team-mates will have a tough test on their hands to get past him.

He said: "Woody is a great friend of mine and great friend of most of the Newcastle lads.

"Everyone at the club and all the fans love him as well. He's a good lad, and a fantastic player.

"I will be looking forward to seeing him again so soon after this week's trip to France.

"Spurs are on an upward curve, so anything we can get out of the game will be a bonus."

Keegan has proved as staunch an ally as Owen could have wished for in recent weeks and the manager firmly believes his leading goalscorer has plenty more to offer both his club and his country despite being used only as a substitute in Wednesday night's 1-0 friendly defeat by France.

He said: "No-one is an automatic choice for their country.

"Michael has come back, he has trained fantastically today and as far as we are concerned, I feel and my staff feel that he is playing so well, it is hard to understand why he cannot get into an England side.

"But we will have to wait to see what happens. His goal record is tremendous, his leadership for us is important and he plays in a key role for us.

"His style of leadership is not one of shouting from the rooftops or banging a drum, he just quietly goes around talking to players and then goes on a field and shows them by his example his leadership.

"I don't think any manager can ask anymore than that."

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