Allardyce Admits England Concerns for Owen

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is worried that Michael Owen's recovery from his hernia operation could be hampered if he plays two games in four days for England. However Steve McClaren will be forced to rely on his first choice striker, especially as both Dean Ashton and Andy Johnson have been ruled out of the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia on Saturday and Russia the following Wednesday.

"I don't know whether two games in such a short space of time is right, but it's not my decision, though I will speak to Steve [McClaren] about that," said Allardyce after Owen came on as substitute and scored a decisive goal in Newcastle's 3-2 victory over Everton on Sunday, just eight days after seeing specialist German surgeon Ulrike Muschaweck.

But Allardyce insisted that it's important not to rush the striker's recovery. "I have to be very protective - that's why I didn't start him. He's got to be eased back into it. It's been a terrific recovery from one of the best surgeons in the world. At the end of the day, I've tried to do what's best for the football club and Michael," he said. He also confirmed that Alan Smith would join the England squad, despite "a slight knee problem".

Owen himself seems less concerned and is determined to play for England. "I'm fine. It's feeling good and I'm available for both teams. I'm playing without pain and will only get better. It's only a minor thing and I've still got all the stitches in. I think coming back in eight days to play for my club shows a bit of determination. I've worked hard over the past week and it's good to play a game eight days after surgery," he said.

The striker also revealed he would be able to give his all in the England game, without worrying about further aggravating his injury. "She [Muschaweck] said to push it as hard as I wanted - nothing can break it down. I'm stronger than I was before the operation. It's just a question of managing the discomfort. I've been pushing myself through the pain for the last month or six weeks now but I'm feeling better for it already. I can go on the pitch now and not feel any pain," he said.

Meanwhile the FA has confirmed that West Ham forward Ashton has been withdrawn from the England squad after injuring his medial ligament against Aston Villa. The 23-year-old striker, whose past two seasons have been blighted by serious injury, admitted, "It almost seems as if there's something against me."

Everton manager David Moyes has also further added to McClaren's injury list by confirming that Johnson will undergo surgery today. "Andy will have an exploratory operation on Monday and I would expect him to be out of action for three to four weeks," he said. Asked if that would be a blow for England, Moyes replied: "It's a big blow for Everton. He's also been carrying a groin injury and it's something we've known about for a week or so. We just know that he's got a problem and Andy wants it sorted."