Michael Owen has been named in the Newcastle squad for tomorrow's home Premiership match with West Brom.

Magpies caretaker manager Glenn Roeder has named the 26-year-old England striker in his squad for the first time since he fractured a metatarsal at White Hart Lane on New Year's Eve.

A week ago Roeder revealed he was "confident" Owen would play again for Newcastle before the end of the season, a view later backed up by the player himself.

It is good news for England, with Owen facing a race against time to make Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the World Cup. And it is also a boost for the Magpies, with Alan Shearer unlikely to play again because of a knee injury.

Shola Ameobi, who broke his two front teeth in last Saturday's win over Wigan is also doubt, which means Albert Luque and Michael Chopra are likely to start in attack.

Meanwhile, the Premier League today gave Roeder permission to carry on as caretaker manager of Newcastle as the club wait for the outcome of the search for the next England boss.

Roeder, appointed as temporary boss at St James' Park in early February after the sacking of Graeme Souness, was initially told that due to his lack of coaching qualifications he would be in charge for no more than 12 weeks.

That tenure ends after the visit of West Brom to Tyneside tomorrow, potentially leaving the Magpies without a manager for the two remaining matches at Birmingham and home to Chelsea.

However, a statement from the League today revealed that, due to the ongoing search for the next England boss, Newcastle would be allowed to carry on with Roeder in charge until the end of the season.

That could mean Martin O'Neill, the bookmakers' favourite for the Newcastle hotseat, is waiting to hear if he gets the England job before deciding whether to take over the Magpies.