Michael Owen's surgeon believes the striker will be fit for England's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.
Newcastle's Owen, 27, underwent stomach surgery in Germany, which could have caused a hernia, and is recovering from a torn abductor muscle in his groin.
Owen is cautious playing Estonia on 13 October and Russia four days later.
But his surgeon Dr Ulrike Muschaweck told BBC 5live: "I think the game this weekend would be too soon but after that I hope he can play."
Muschaweck banished fears that Owen could risk aggravating an injury by returning to action so soon.
"The risk for re-injury is 0.2%, so next to zero," she added.
"The surgery went without any problems. Today is day two after the operation and he can start jogging.
"After five to seven days, depending on the pain, he can start training again."
England manager Steve McClaren will name his squad on Friday and is hoping Owen, and fellow doubt John Terry (fractured cheekbone), can join up with the squad.
"At the present moment Michael is not out," he told BBC 5live.
"We'll liaise with Newcastle to make sure that he is OK and hopefully he can join up with us and we'll take it from there."
McClaren added that he would contact Terry to check his progress after surgery.
Muschaweck, who has previously performed surgery on the likes of Alan Shearer, Steve Harper and Stephen Carr, developed the procedure undergone by Owen, which 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.
However, Owen told the News of the World on Sunday that he remains 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.
"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.
"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 2006 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.
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.
Owen surgeon gives England boost
Newcastle hit by Barton setback
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has been forced to delay his return from injury by another month.
The 25-year-old, who joined the Magpies in a £5.8m move from Manchester City in June, broke a bone in his foot during a pre-season game for his new club.
He has yet to make a competitive outing for his side but had hinted he may be available to face Everton on Sunday.
But Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce said: "It will be four or five weeks or at least three or four reserve games."
The prospect of Barton's return was raised because he travelled with the squad to their last three away games to give his team-mates moral support.
But the partial fracture of his fifth metatarsal he sustained against Carlisle in July has involved a lengthy process of healing and he will have to build up his match fitness before he can contemplate any first-team action.
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.
Owen set for double operation
Newcastle United's Michael Owen is set to have surgery to prevent a hernia - as well to repair his injured groin.
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed his England striker is being advised he needs to have his stomach lining strengthened and his torn adductor muscle also treated.
Owen, 27, is therefore thought almost certain to miss next month's crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.
Allardyce said: "Michael has seen a specialist in Manchester who has advised him to get the stomach lining strengthened, while he is having a tear in his adductor muscle repaired.
straightforward procedure
"The idea is to prevent him getting a hernia. The last thing we want is him to come back in three weeks' time and for the weakness to turn into a hernia problem.
"We're hopeful he won't be out for too long - because it is a relatively straightforward procedure."
Owen, who has been dogged by injuries over the last few years, came off injured in Newcastle's 3-1 victory over West Ham United on Sunday.
Allardyce backs Martins' ability
Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce is confident Nigerian Obafemi Martins will soon find his scoring touch again.
The 22-year-old Nigeria international recently missed glorious chances to score against West Ham, in the Premier League, and Arsenal in the League Cup.
However, Allardyce, is positive Martins will fill the void in his side left by an injured Michael Owen.
"Oba was disappointed with the last two games - but chances come and go and strikers score some and miss some.
"At least he was there to miss them - but what Oba cannot do is let this get him down," Allardyce said.
"I told him he did great getting the ball past the keeper at Arsenal just after they scored, but then he didn't hit it hard enough and the defender got his shot off the line.
"It was a shame for us and a pity for him because, for the next couple of days, he is going to think it was all his fault.
"But he cannot do that. This is a team game and we are all in this together," Allardyce added.
Owen to miss key England matches
Michael Owen has been ruled out of England's two Euro 2008 qualifiers in October with a torn groin muscle.
The 27-year-old striker will see a specialist on Thursday to determine whether he also needs an operation.
It had been thought that Owen had a hernia but it now appears he has a stomach weakness that may need surgery.
"He will be back for the first game after the England internationals at the very, very earliest," said Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce.
"The full picture is that he has not got a hernia but there may be a weakness in the stomach area which may have contributed to his 3cm abductor muscle tear," he added.
Newcastle's first game after the international break is against Tottenham on 22 October.
Owen is thought to have seen a surgeon in Bradford earlier this week to find out the extent of his stomach problem.
It has been suggested that as a result of his findings, Owen will have keyhole surgery on Friday in Germany.
Renowned Germany surgeon Ulrike Muschaweck, who has previously performed surgery on the likes of Alan Shearer, Steve Harper and Stephen Carr, is expected to carry out the operation.
Allardyce said: "While Owen is out for two or three weeks with the tear we are sending him to a specialist in Germany who will assess him.
"Her track record in that area is the best in the world, she's managed to develop her own procedure that takes that type of operation from what used to be six weeks' recovery to two or three so that's why we use her.
"If there is any surgery needed to strengthen the area - not repair a hernia - that will be undertaken there.
"That should clear up both problems and allow Michael Owen to hopefully push on to play more and more games on a regular basis.
"For him and for us it's disappointing but we have to manage and get on with it."
Allardyce also stressed that Owen would not risk picking up further injuries by returning too soon.
"He is more sensible than that and knows that the consequences of coming back too early are so grave if you get re-injured," he said.
"You can extend the period of recovery so that it's twice as long.
"If our medical staff don't consider he is capable at that particular time we will be patient and make sure he is fully recovered before we stick him back into the fray."
England 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 victories over Israel and Russia.
But he limped out of Newcastle's 3-1 win over West Ham on Sunday 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 vital matches in October.
The Wigan striker suffered a broken metatarsal on 15 September but Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch are available again after injury and suspension respectively.
Bates says Leeds are not for sale
Leeds chairman Ken Bates insists the League One club is not for sale - although he is looking for investors.
Reports claimed ex-Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, who sold his Magpies stake for £37m, was set to take over Leeds after he was seen with Bates.
"We had lunch and agreed to keep in touch. He hasn't made a sensational swoop and talks aren't at an advanced stage," Bates told BBC Radio Leeds.
"It's early discussions. Leeds are not for sale, I'm here for the long haul."
However, Bates added that he had received a separate approach from a third party claiming that he knew of a prospective buyer for the club.
Leeds are currently bottom of League One but are now on zero points after five successive wins wiped out their 15-point penalty for breaching insolvency rules.
Bates has confirmed the club will appeal to the Football Association against the deduction, calling it a "travesty of justice".
Bates said: "The hard work has now been done, all of the rubbish is out of the way and the club is back on track.
"The real league table shows we are two points clear at the top - or will be when we get our 15 points back.
"The club is in profit, the gates are back and we have averages higher than Middlesbrough, Wigan, Reading and Fulham.
"The ground is slowly being improved and the team is strong. Why would I want to sell?
"After two years of hard work and three months of absolute hell, we can talk about football.
"Freddy is a wise old man - although he's younger than me - he's experienced and he would be an ideal partner but it's gossip."
