Owen and Barton pick up injuries

Owen joined Newcastle in August 2005

Newcastle will be without Michael Owen for six to eight weeks and Joey Barton for 10 after both picked up injuries in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester City.

Manager Joe Kinnear revealed that striker Owen cracked a bone in his ankle and midfielder Barton, 26, has a similar injury in his foot.

The injury means Owen, 29, will have no chance of playing in England's friendly against Spain on 11 February.

"It's one thing after another at the moment," said Kinnear.

"Life is seriously tough. The credit crunch is killing us.

"Mike has lost £2bn quid in his own businesses and shares. He is just about paying the wages but it is not an easy situation.

"You look at Tottenham paying £16m here and £14m there. I would love to spend money like that but I can't. You can see why so many people bottled this job."

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to the injuries

Owen, who has been continually overlooked by England manager Fabio Capello since the Italian succeeded Steve McLaren, has scored 10 times this season, though he went into Wednesday's match with only one goal in his last seven matches.

Owen was replaced by Jonas Gutierrez on 19 minutes, while Barton, who was making his first start since November, went off in the second half to be replaced by debutant Peter Lovenkrands.

• how to lose weight
• Nail fungus treatment
• buy cialis soft tabs