McClaren plays down Owen 'row'
Owen has been an infrequent sight in Newcastle clours since his £16 million move
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Tuesday, 09, Oct 2007 11:09
England coach Steve McClaren has denied that the fitness of striker Michael Owen is poised to trigger a new club-versus-country row with Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce.
Owen made a goalscoring return for the Magpies in their 3-2 win over Everton at the weekend.
But Allardyce was swift to warn McClaren that selecting the 27-year-old for both of England's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia may risk a recurrence of his stomach injury.
McClaren has reassured Owen's employers that he will consult them over their £16 million asset, but has insisted that the ultimate decision over Owen's availability will remain with him.
"People talk of a conflict between Newcastle, Michael and ourselves. Nothing could be further from the truth," McClaren said.
"We liaise with the medical people at the club, Sam [Allardyce] and with the player. No risk will be taken on the player but Michael is a very big player for us. And if Michael is fit then Michael will play.
"He's with England now, we'll liaise with Newcastle, but he's with England."
McClaren will be sorely tempted to turn to Owen after the former Liverpool and Read Madrid forward netted three times in England's wins over Israel and Russia last month.
However the Tynesiders' legal teams will be primed to launch some sort of claim against the FA should he suffer any long-term damage from playing again so soon after surgery.
Owen has played only 17 games for Newcastle since signing for them over two years ago and missed almost the whole of last season after injuring knee ligaments at the World Cup the summer before.
The club have attempted to secure compensation from Soho Square for Owen's injury and even threatened to have an injunction brought against the national team to prevent them calling him up to play.