England receive Owen fitness lift

Michael Owen stands a good chance of being fit for England's vital Euro 2008 fixtures in October, according to Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce.

Initial predictions were that the striker might miss six weeks after he was diagnosed with a stomach weakness.

But Allardyce said on Saturday that Owen could even feature in Newcastle's clash with Everton next weekend.

"The second operation on the weaker side of his stomach has been very successful," said Allardyce.

"Only a few days in terms of recovery we're talking now, and then there's the abductor to think about with the tear.

"But really good news - he is with the best in the world and that is why it's only a few days for his recovery."

Asked whether he would rule Owen out of England's qualifiers against Estonia and Russia, Allardyce insisted: "I couldn't do that - with what we've heard from Germany it might be a shorter recovery than we thought.

"Taking that and the abductor into consideration, who knows? He may even be fit for Everton next week."

Owen, 27, underwent surgery at the clinic of renowned Germany surgeon Ulrike Muschaweck, who has previously performed surgery on the likes of Alan Shearer, Steve Harper and Stephen Carr.

England, second in their qualifying group, face crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers at home to Estonia and then away in Russia on 13 and 17 October respectively.

Owen, who spent most of last season on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments in the World Cup, netted three times in September's qualifying wins over Israel and Russia.

But he limped out of Newcastle's 3-1 win over West Ham and was also substituted during the previous game, a 1-0 defeat at Derby.

England boss Steve McClaren is already without Emile Heskey, Owen's strike partner in the games against Israel and Russia, for the two matches.

The Wigan striker suffered a broken metatarsal on 15 September, but Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch are available again after injury and suspension respectively.