As we reported last week, Owen decides if he plays for England ... NOT Sam Allardyce, and Owen has already told the Toon manager "the person I listen to is the doctor, and no-one else".
Off the record, Sam is far from happy with the situation, because at one time it was the club that made such decisions. But no more.
UEFA have made it plain the player has every right to represent his country, whether the club likes it or not!
Joey Barton, on the other hand, is sure to cause ripples by saying: "Newcastle will always come first with me ... not England!"
Barton has suffered a frustrating spell on the sidelines since fracturing a metatarsal within weeks of his £5.8million arrival from Manchester City this summer.
Owen Dig? 'I Haven't Been Bought To Play For England!'
He has set his sights on Tottenham's Premier League visit to St James' Park on October 22, and has laughed off all talk of playing for England again.
Barton won his only full England cap to date as a substitute in the friendly clash with Spain at Old Trafford in February, but that is history.
Barton: "England is on the back-burner for me, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I haven't been bought to play for England - I am here to play for Newcastle United.
"People get carried away about playing for their country. It is always nice to be selected, and it is always a privilege and an honour.
"But the thing I have to do first and foremost is to do what I have been bought to do, and that is play good football for Newcastle.
"If England comes, then so be it, but I have played for them once now and that will do for me. I am more interested in winning domestic honours.
"This is my bread and butter and at the minute, hand on heart, I would much rather be successful for Newcastle United than I would for England."