 Michael owen is facing a return visit to the United States after world-renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman discovered lateral cartilage damage in the Newcastle United star's shattered knee. The new twist in Owen's horrific injury nightmare suggests the Toon star's absence from the first-team picture could be an even longer one than the originally anticipated six months. Owen ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Sweden whilst on international duty with England at the World Cup, prompting the trip to visit Dr Steadman, who has previously operated on former United hitmen Craig Bellamy and Alan Shearer. But Dr Steadman's first consultation with Owen lead to the Colorado-based specialist discovering the lateral cartilage damage first, meaning the man United snapped up from Real Madrid for £17m is now facing a two-stage process which involves a second visit to the States. The slight lateral cartilage damage has now been repaired and Owen has started rehab on that part of the injury, with Toon physio Derek Wright preparing to fly out to Vale, in Colorado, to work with the United striker before he returns to Tyneside next week. But it does appear that Owen must now wait for two months until his anterior cruciate ligament can be operated on. Owen, who was accompanied to Colorado by new United doctor, Roddy McDonald, will then return to the US for the second part of the op in approximately eight weeks' time, which would see the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament repaired. United boss Glenn Roeder said today: "I spoke to our club doctor Roddy McDonald after the first stage of the procedure had been done, and he explained to me what the second stage would involve and that it could take place in eight weeks' time." Meanwhile, Jean Alain Boumsong was again linked with a move away from St James' Park, with talk re-surfacing again today that French giants Marseille are keen to take the £8.5m defender on a season-long loan deal, with a view to a permanent move. Boumsong, who was celebrating with his French team-mates today after reaching the World Cup Final, has yet to kick a ball in Germany, but could still end the tournament with a winners' medal in his pocket come Sunday night in Berlin. But it would still be unlikely that United would stand in Marseille's way should they come in with the right offer. * GLENN ROEDER'S return to West Ham United at Upton Park scheduled for Saturday, September 16, has been put back 24 hours to Sunday 17, kicking-off 3pm, due to the Hammers' involvement in the UEFA Cup first round, the first-leg of which will take place on Thursday, September 14. | 
