Owen boost for England

Michael Owen should be fit for England's Euro 2008 qualifying matches later this month, according to the specialist who operated on the striker last week.

The 27-year-old went to the clinic of Dr Ulrike Muschaweck in Munich in an attempt to find a solution to a stomach problem which could have led to a hernia, while he is also recovering from a torn adductor muscle in his groin.

Dr Muschaweck told Sky Sports News: "With this type of injury after 10 to 12, a maximum of 14, days he's back into full activity. He will start training Monday or Tuesday and every day do a little bit more, and after eight to 10 days he will make a full recovery.""

Initial fears that he could face up to six weeks out of action were allayed by Sam Allardyce on Saturday, when the Newcastle manager even suggested Owen could be fit to face Everton on Sunday.

Muschaweck insists that is probably too early for a return but is confident he will be ready to feature for Steve McClaren's England side when they take on Estonia on October 13, with a trip to Russia to follow four days later.

Asked whether he would be able to play for England, Muschaweck added: "I hope so and I think so, yes."

Muschaweck developed the procedure undergone by Owen and it is specifically geared towards allowing a rapid return to action.

It reduces a natural rehabilitation period of up to three months to a matter of days, and she is adamant there should be no long-term repercussions for Owen.

"There is no problem to be expected after the operation, not at all," she said.