VS 
The Manchester United striker Michael Owen has declared himself fit for the club's Christmas fixtures.
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United forward has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in the Premier League leaders' goalless draw at Sunderland on 2 October.
United face Sunderland again at Old Trafford on Boxing Day before travelling to Birmingham City two days later and then West Bromwich Albion on New Year's Day.
Owen told the club's website: "I'm fit and I've been in full training for three and a half weeks. The hard bit now is getting back into the side, trying to force my way back into the squad. That's not easy at Manchester United."
United remain unbeaten and have taken advantage of Chelsea's recent loss of form to move top of the table with three successive wins.
Owen admits that, although the competition for places at United is tough, it does at least mean players do not have to be rushed back from injuries.
That is crucial for the 31-year-old, who has suffered hamstring problems throughout his career and missed the end of last season – and the faint possibility of going to the World Cup – because of one. He also had a groin injury earlier in the season and the Sunderland game was his only Premier League start of the current campaign.
"There are that many quality players at United that you're given as much time as you need to come back from injury. I injured my hamstring at the beginning of October, which kept me out for six weeks.
"Since then I've been able to train fully and work my way back up to full fitness – now I'm fit and hope to play a part in the games over Christmas."
