Newcastle United have issued a warning to Steve McClaren’s England that striker Michael Owen should not be rushed to action in a desperate bid to resurrect their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The 27-year-old former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker, who is yet to return to full training, has not played since rupturing anterior cruciate ligament at the World Cup in Germany last summer.

Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd said: “I am an England fan and I want to watch them in the Euro finals in 2008.

“But let’s stop this clamour for Michael Owen returning to play for England before it gets up a full head of steam.

“Michael Owen will return when it is in the best interests of the player and Newcastle United, not England.

“The player and Newcastle United come first, but he will not be rushed back just so that he can play for England in the summer - and make no mistake about it, if Michael is not fit for Newcastle United this season, he will not be fit for England.”

Owen said last week: “I would think it would be a couple of weeks before I can join in training.

“I am kicking and running straight as hard as I like, and then it is the twisting and turning.”

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