Owen's England Stroll Good News For Newcastle!

Last updated : 19 October 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Sam Allardyce was a relieved man seeing Owen come through his plastic pitch test in Moscow unscathed.

The 27-year-old didn't do much on the artificial surface at the Luzhniki Stadium, and it was a subject of an intense debate as he continues his recovery from hernia surgery.

Allardyce: "I have not had a call, so it sounds like he's okay."

Australia international Mark Viduka is fit again after a calf problem, although Alan Smith, who partnered Obafemi Martins against the Toffees, is suspended and Shola Ameobi is still struggling with a groin strain.

Martins has recovered from his international exertions having scored both goals for Nigeria in their 2-2 friendly draw in Mexico last weekend.

Allardyce: "It was great to see Oba score two goals in Mexico.

"Obviously the long trip to Central America was my main concern for him.

"He will be delighted to get two goals, but after trailing all of the way to Mexico and back, I am just glad he didn't have a game in midweek and it was over by the weekend.

"Scoring two will give him a lot of confidence because he missed a couple in recent games.

"Hopefully it will help him to improve that area of his game and his ratio of chances and goals increases. He would then be a major force in the Premier League."