Michael Owen is making excellent progress in his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury, according to his surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.
The revered American operated on the Newcastle striker after he suffered a ruptured cruciate whilst on World Cup duty in the summer.
Steadman has delivered the verdict after looking at the latest scans, declaring Owen's knee to be in 'pristine condition'.
Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder is reticent to put a date on when Owen could be ready to make a return but he admits to being buoyed by the latest developments.
"At worst Michael is on schedule," Roeder told the club's official website.
"He got a scan sent over to Dr Steadman in Colorado to have a look at. He looked at the scan and is absolutely delighted.
"The knee is in pristine condition. He gave Michael the good news over the telephone.
"The news about the scan this week just rubber-stamped how Michael feels about the knee in terms of stability. He feels good.
"The scan has confirmed that and will have given him great belief."
Such is Roeder's optimism with regards Owen's fitness he has even suggested the injury could help banish any lingering doubts the player holds about the hamstring problems which have plagued his career.
"Since his hamstring problems in the early days at Liverpool he has never felt he could go flat out on the accelerator," he added.
"This is the opportunity now to investigate that and strengthen that area of his body as well.
"When Michael comes back he will not only have a new knee that is working perfectly but hopefully the strength in his hamstring to get back the searing pace that used to blow you away."