Former Real Madrid player Owen to have scond knee surgery.

Former Real Madrid and current Newcastle United striker Michael Owen returned to the United States on Monday to undergo a second operation on his injured right knee.

The England international had cartilage damage repaired at the Colorado clinic of Dr Richard Steadman on his first visit in July. But he was forced to wait eight weeks before the second stage of the operation - to repair the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament - could be performed.

The 26-year-old Owen was injured during England's World Cup group match against Sweden in June.

"I will be having the operation done in a couple of days, and I'm confident with positive thinking I will be back as good as ever," Owen told Newcastle's Web site. "I have been basically biding my time since the first operation to prepare for this one, and once it is out of the way I can get on with the rehabilitation."

The injury is expected to keep the former Liverpool player out of action for the remainder of the year.

t is Owen's second injury since joining Newcastle from Real Madrid last offseason. He fractured the fifth metatarsal of his foot in a Premier League game against Tottenham in December.

Steadman has successfully treated Alan Shearer, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Craig Bellamy in the past.