Shearer holds out hope for Owen

Alan Shearer says Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen could be back playing sooner than people think.

Owen is expected to miss England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia next month after being told he needs groin surgery.

But Shearer says the surgeon doing the operation, Dr Ulrike Muschaweck, has developed procedures that allow her patients to recover faster than normal.

"When I went to see her I was back playing on the 11th day," said Shearer.

"It's amazing how much time she takes off your recovery."

Owen needs an operation to repair a tear in his abductor muscle and may require additional surgery to strengthen the stomach lining in an attempt to prevent a future hernia.

Shearer told Radio 5live that he had four hernia operations in his career but only went to see Dr Muschaweck in Munich for the last one.

"The previous three were anything between four and six weeks (recovery time)," he said.

"For her to cut that amount of time down in your rehab is just spectacular. I came back as good as new."

However Shearer added that he did not know the full extent of Owen's injury.

If Owen is ruled out of England's games at home to Estonia (13 October) and away in Russia (17 October), Shearer says manager Steve McClaren has several options.

Emile Heskey, who played such a key role in the wins over Israel and Russia, is also ruled out with a broken foot but Wayne Rooney is back from injury and Peter Crouch available after suspension.

"I would have Wayne Rooney in my side every time because he's a world-class player," said Shearer.

"Irrespective of whether Owen or Heskey were fit I'd definitely have him in, so I think it will be one to partner him. Who that will be I'm not quite sure.

"The problem is that (Andy) Johnson hasn't scored for Everton for a while, although by all accounts he is playing very well.

"Crouch is not playing regularly for Liverpool, (Jermain) Defoe is not playing regularly for Spurs, so there lies the problem."

Shearer says West Ham's fit-again striker Dean Ashton could be the man to step in.

"I saw him at St James' Park on Sunday against Newcastle. He scored a goal and did very, very well," said Shearer.

Crouch also believes England will cope no matter who McClaren names in his squad.

"We're rich in the striking department and I believe we can cope with any injuries," the Liverpool striker told 5live.

"There are players who can come into the England team and do a more than good enough job, I've no doubt at all."

Portsmouth's England goalkeeper David James agrees with Crouch that the players who will step in for Owen and Heskey will be able to score goals for England.

He told Radio 5live: "Everyone was full of doom and gloom about the injuries before the last two matches and Emile was brought in.

"But the way him and Michael played proved we have strength in depth and I'm sure whoever is in the next squad, the striking partnership will be just as fruitful."

England are second in Group E with three games left, three points behind Croatia and two points ahead of Russia. The top two qualify for Euro 2008.

Listen to the full interview, including Crouch talking about Liverpool's rotation policy, on 5live's Daily Mayo podcast, by clicking on the link on the right-hand side of this story.

Source: BBC Sport