Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Magpies confirm Owen blow

17 Oct 2008 - 07:55:42

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Newcastle United have confirmed reports that Michael Owen will be missing for the next ten days with a groin strain.

The 28-year-old striker will now miss Monday's Premier League trip to Manchester City and is rated doubtful for the following weekend's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.

Owen picked up his latest groin niggle during training with the Magpies this week following his omission from the England squad.

"He's tweaked his groin," interim manager Joe Kinnear told the club's official website.

"He's had his scan and I would think we're looking at between seven and ten days.

"He won't be involved in the Man City match but he has a realistic chance of the derby - about 50-50.

"It's a massive blow because he's always liable to nick you a goal and we'll miss that, but having said that we have to kick it into touch and get on with things.

"We have been working on players who are in contention to replace him, it's a massive loss but these things happen."