Allardyce sends Owen to specialist

NEWCASTLE boss Sam Allardyce has sent Michael Owen off to Germany for treatment on his thigh injury admitting his frustration at his loss yet again.

The 27-year-old has flown out to Munich to consult renowned specialist Hans-Wilhelm Muller Wohlfahrt over the problem he picked up in England’s 1-0 friendly victory in Austria on Friday evening.

Allardyce is refusing to reassess the four-to-six-week period his £17million (€23.7m) man is expected to be sidelined, although more optimistic noises coming out of Tyneside have suggested he could be back in action within a fortnight.

He said: “We have sent Michael to Germany to see Dr Wohlfahrt in a bid to speed up his recovery.

“But at this moment in time, we do not see the point in changing our view that we will be without Michael for between four and six weeks.

“If we start talking about him coming back earlier there will be disappointment if he does not.

“However if we can get him back quicker after Dr Wohlfahrt’s treatment, then it will be a huge bonus.”

Owen’s absence is a blow to Allardyce, the latest Newcastle manager to be forced to do without his star striker.

Allardyce said: “It’s a big blow for ourselves and Michael when we felt we were moving in the right direction.

“We were looking to up the match sharpness and fitness, but he has been dealt this severe blow yet again.

“We just have to manage it as quickly as we can to find the best treatment possible.”