NEWCASTLE UNITED have been backed by the Premier League in their threat to go to court to prevent Michael Owen from playing for his country this summer.

The Magpies are embroiled in a compensation dispute surrounding Owen, which escalated this week when chairman Freddy Shepherd revealed he was seeking an injunction to stop the Football Association from naming the striker for England's Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia on June 6.

It is a row which could alter the face of the international game as it stands, with Newcastle reeling from the way they have been bereft of their record signing for the entire season with a knee injury picked up at the World Cup.

Shepherd's search for a 'fair settlement' was strengthened yesterday when Premier League chairman Sir David Richards threw his weight behind their club-versus-country saga.

"Freddy Shepherd is very justified in asking for certain things," said Richards. "It is something that needs sorting out in the game. I can stand here and ask who has suffered out of this. Michael Owen has but Newcastle United have as well because they have not had his services and someone has got to pay for that.

"Mr Shepherd is quite justified in having his say and saying this is what we've got to do. I think it is a real test case. I think it is a shame that football has to get itself in this position when it is not difficult for the FA and Newcastle to get together to sort this out outside the media. But Mr Shepherd has quite a right to say what he said.

"Over the years things have changed a little bit and I think that we should re-address it, look at it and lay down new formulas and how things ought to be done regarding international players and the release of international players. We need to do that."

Owen is nearing full fitness but has admitted defeat in his bid to be involved against Chelsea on Sunday.

Owen said: "The rehab has gone perfectly well. I played in a behind-closed-doors game and everything has gone well. But I am just feeling the effects of doing so much work and I have got a bit of a tight groin. I am looking at the game after that [Reading] to make my return."

As well as shelling out £16m to sign him from Real Madrid, Newcastle are also forking out £6m a year in wages, although his £120,000-a-week pay packet has been covered since June, with the FA's insurers paying 50 per cent and the club's own insurance policy accounting for the remainder.

Shepherd, also chasing around £6m compensation from World Cup chiefs FIFA who have paid £2m so far, is prepared to dig his heels in and the row looks destined to rumble on.

And with no agreement in sight, Newcastle will be reluctant to risk damaging their insurance policy if they are responsible for pitting him back into action too soon.

Roeder is desperate to have Owen firing at his full capacity come the start of next season, after making just 11 starts for Newcastle since his move nearly two years ago.

But the frustrated boss knows the 27-year-old's availability is not the only concern ahead of the next campaign, with defence a priority.

With Titus Bramble and Craig Moore expected to leave when their contracts expire in June, Roeder has started his search for replacements.

It is understood Newcastle have asked Standard Liege to extend the deadline for a decision on American defender Oguchi Onyewu until later today.

But, with a fee already agreed for Onyewu, it is unlikely that Newcastle will pay the sum being demanded and will pursue other targets, such as Wes Brown, Anton Ferdinand and Curtis Davies.

Young striker Andy Carroll has signed a four-year deal with the club. The 18-year-old, who scored a hat-trick for the reserves this week, is hoping to break into the first team more often