Owen cautious over England return

Michael Owen admits he does not expect to be fit for England's double-header of Euro 2008 qualifiers in October.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has suggested the striker could be back for next weekend's clash with Everton after recovering from a stomach injury.

But Owen, 27, told the News of the World he remains more cautious.

He said: "Medical advice will decide how quickly I'll be back but I'd rather remain cautious than set unrealistic targets. I don't want to tempt fate."

Owen has undergone successful surgery in Germany for the problem which could have caused a hernia and is recovering from a torn abductor muscle in his groin.

It was in the same clinic of renowned German surgeon Ulrike Muschaweck, who has previously performed surgery on the likes of Alan Shearer, Steve Harper and Stephen Carr.

But he admits he is facing up to missing out on England's clashes with Estonia, on 13 October and Russia four days later.

"In in the back of my mind, before I had the surgery, I had focused on Newcastle's 22 October Premier League game against Tottenham - the first after the international break - for a possible return," Owen said.

"Anything before that, including England's two Euro qualifiers against Estonia and Russia, would be a bonus.

"I shall cling to the hope I can play for England but people must accept that Newcastle have to come first at the moment.

"They pay my wages and I have missed far too many games since joining them to put them at the back of the queue as far as priorities go.

"I know it is going to be the subject of national debate as to whether I will be fit to help England qualify for next year's European Championship finals but let's adopt a little bit of caution and see how the next 10 days unfold."

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.