England Without Owen for Key England Clashes
26th September, 2007
A 3cm tear in Michael Owen’s abductor muscle has ruled him out for three weeks, meaning he will miss the crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia on 13 and 17 October. It comes as reports suggest that Owen, 27, visited a surgeon in Bradford earlier this week concerning his hernia problem. Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce said "It will be three weeks out and he will miss England with his groin, Michael would miss England anyway with his groin tear so we might as well check up to see whether he needs a hernia operation."
Owen was a crucial player in England’s recent wins against Israel and Russia, scoring three times for England. Should the hernia operation go ahead, it would put him out of action for two months. England boss Steve McClaren two weeks ago lost Emile Heskey with a broken metatarsal, and Joe Cole is suspended for the match against Estonia. Wayne Rooney will be available for selection. England are 2/1 to win Group E with Totesport.
