 Striker Owen had two operations over the summer |
Newcastle striker Michael Owen has come to terms with the fact that he faces a lengthy lay-off - after overcoming the disappointment of two operations. England forward Owen, 26, had surgery to repair a ruptured cruciate ligament three weeks ago but that was on the back of cartilage surgery in July.
He told the club website: "If the surgeon had done it all at once there might have been future complications.
"But I have got to accept it is a going to be a long road back."
Owen spent the second half of last season on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his foot at the end of December.
 | I have lost a lot of muscle in the last few months since my initial injury |
And he made only one appearance for Newcastle before starting preparations for the World Cup.
But he endured a frustrating campaign in Germany before his misery was compounded when he was carried off on a stretcher in the 2-2 draw against Sweden.
However, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star is optimistic that his recovery will be uneventful.
He added: "Everything is going according to plan.
"I am working closely with the physios, the doctor and all the staff - and it is all progressing well so far.
"We will work right from the bottom and try to build my strength back up.
"It will take a good few months to do that. I have lost a lot of muscle in the last few months since my initial injury."
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