http://tinyurl.com/2shjse Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards has supported Newcastle in their bid to claim compensation from The Football Association for Michael Owen's injury. The striker has not played a first team game since rupturing his cruciate ligament during England's game against Sweden at the World Cup finals in June. Whilst The Magpies have already received compensation to the tune of ￡6million from The FA, Fifa and their own insurers, chairman Freddy Shepherd wants Soho Square to cover Owen's medical bills which amount to ￡150,000. The St James' Park supremo has even threatened legal action against The FA, and his crusade has won support from Richards who believes Owen's injury is an important 'test case' in the ongoing club versus country debate. "I think Freddy Shepherd is very, very justified in asking for certain things," Richards told The Times. "It is something that needs sorting out in the game. I ask, `Who has suffered out of this?' "Well, Michael Owen has, but Newcastle United have as well because they have not had his services and someone has got to pay for that. "I think Mr Shepherd is justified in 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 and Newcastle are one of our members and obviously they have the support of the Premier League." Owen has since returned to training and, whilst Sunday's game with Chelsea will come too soon, the former Liverpool star hopes to make his first appearance against Reading on 30th April. However, the row between clubs and the international sides who borrow their star players looks set to rumble on for some time yet. Richards added: "If you worked for an employer and they paid you 52 weeks a year and someone came along and said, `I am going to take him for 10 weeks, but you have got to carry on paying him and I'll pay him as well' - where should that money go? "Should it go to the employer or to the player who would then get 62 weeks' pay a year instead of 52? That's the scenario we need to look at." --

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