Manchester United striker Michael Owen is set for a playing return tonight in Ireland.
Wayne Rooney and Owen have both been included in the squad for Manchester United's friendly against an Irish League XI at the new Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday night.
It will be Rooney's first appearance since his disappointing World Cup campaign, which was followed this week by pictures of him smoking and chanting songs during the early hours of the morning in Manchester earlier this week.
For Owen, it marks the start of his comeback following the hamstring injury he suffered during his goalscoring contribution to the Red Devils' Carling Cup final triumph over Aston Villa at Wembley in February.
With record signing Dimitar Berbatov and new arrival Javier Hernandez also in the squad, it is by no means certain the one-time England international colleagues will be paired together by Sir Alex Ferguson, although it is an important evening for both men.
