England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

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Owen remains cautious

30 Sep 2007 - 10:53:37

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Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has admitted that he does not expect to be fit enough to play in England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia next month.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward has had surgery in Germany for a stomach problem which could have caused a hernia and is recovering from a torn adductor muscle in his groin.

Magpies boss Sam Allardyce had hinted that Owen could be back for next weekend's clash with Everton, but the player himself is more cautious.

"I don't want to tempt fate by making a premature forecast," the 27-year-old told the News of The World.

"Medical advice will decide how quickly I'll be back in action. I'd rather remain cautious at this stage than set any unrealistic targets.

"But in the back of my mind, before I had the surgery, I had focused on Newcastle's October 22 Premier League game against Tottenham - the first after the international break - for a possible return.

"Anything before that, including England's two Euro qualifiers against Estonia and Russia, would be a bonus.

"I shall cling to the hope I can play for England but people must accept that Newcastle have to come first at the moment.

"They pay my wages and I've missed far too many games since joining them to put them at the back of the queue as far as priorities go.

"I know it's going to be the subject of national debate as to whether I'll be fit to help England qualify for next year's European Championship finals but let's adopt a little bit of caution and see how the next ten days unfold."