Owen Surgeon Raises Hopes of England Return

The surgeon who operated on Michael Owen in Munich last week believes the Newcastle striker may recover in time to feature in England's Euro 2008 qualifying matches later this month. Dr Ulrike Muschaweck, who is renowned for procedures that allow her patients to recover faster than normal, repaired a torn adductor muscle in Owen's groin as well as addressing a stomach-related problem which threatened to develop into a hernia.

It was initially feared that Owen could be sidelined for up to six weeks, but Muschaweck is confident that he will be fit for England's clash with Estonia on October 13, which comes four days ahead of a testing away trip to Russia.

"He [Owen] will start training today or tomorrow and every day do a little bit more, and after eight to 10 days he will make a full recovery," said Muschaweck. "With this type of injury after 10 to 12, a maximum of 14 days, he is back into full activity. There is no problem to be expected after the operation, not at all."

Owen himself admitted yesterday that he does not expect to be fit for England's double-header, saying: "Medical advice will decide how quickly I'll be back but I'd rather remain cautious than set unrealistic targets. I don't want to tempt fate."

Meanwhile, Joey Barton, Owen's Newcastle team-mate, is likely to be sidelined for a further month. The midfielder, who arrived at St James's Park this summer following a £5.8m move from Manchester City, is yet to make his competitive debut for the club after suffering a fractured metatarsal in a pre-season friendly at Carlisle.

Barton, who has travelled with the Newcastle squad to their last three away games in order to offer moral support, had originally hoped to be fit in time for Sunday's home clash with Everton. However, Sam Allardyce, the Newcastle manager, has dismissed talk of Barton making an early return. "Joey Barton has got no chance for Everton on Sunday," he said. "It will be four or five weeks, or at least three or four reserve games."