Owen to miss England encounters

Newcastle United FC manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed that striker Michael Owen will miss England's next two UEFA European Championship qualifiers with a torn groin muscle.

'Three weeks out'
The 27-year-old will meet a specialist on Thursday to decide whether he will also need a hernia operation, which could rule him out for up to two months. "It will be three weeks out and he will miss England with his groin," said Allardyce. "We might as well check up to see whether he needs a hernia operation."

Difficult spell
Owen has endured a difficult spell since tearing cruciate ligaments at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He played just three Premier League games for Newcastle last season, and has scored once in five more matches this time round. His return to international football has been a conspicuous success, however – he has four goals from England's last three qualifiers.

England tests
England take on Estonia at Wembley on 13 October before travelling to Moscow to face Russia four days later. They are second in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group E and victories in both their upcoming games would guarantee a place at the finals in Austria and Switzerland. Their concluding qualifier is at home against section leaders Croatia on 21 November.