Allardyce airs Owen concerns
Owen has scored three goals in his last two international appearances
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Monday, 08, Oct 2007 10:15
Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce will urge Steve McClaren not to risk star striker Michael Owen's fitness with two full England games during the upcoming round of international matches.
The 27-year-old forward made a scoring return for the Magpies as he bagged their final goal in a 3-2 win at home to Everton at the weekend, but Allardyce is unsure whether Owen is ready for two crucial Euro 200o qualifiers in quick succession.
Estonia visit Wembley this Saturday before McClaren leads his squad into a tricky away encounter with Russia on October 17th.
"It's up to Steve whether Michael plays for England this time but I don't know that Michael playing two games in such a short space of time is advisable. I will be having a private conversation with Steve," Allardyce said.
Newcastle have previously demanded compensation from the FA for the knee injury suffered by their £16 million star while on World Cup duty last summer which ruled him out of the following Premier League season.
In April the Tynesiders even threatened to bring an injunction to prevent Owen being called up by England before their club doctors felt he was ready.
However comments from Owen himself today suggest that he does not share his club boss's concerns about his playing schedule for the next ten days.
"Everyone knows you can come back from surgery and play. It is just about managing the discomfort," the former Liverpool and Real Madrid hitman said.
"That doesn't stop you from playing. The surgeon said as long as you can manage the pain, you can do what you want because it's not going to get any worse."