Owen downplays World Cup concerns after injury

England striker Michael Owen could be out of action for up to 12 weeks after breaking a toe in Newcastle United's 2-0 Premiership defeat away to Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

England striker Michael Owen moved to calm fears about his World Cup availability after breaking a toe in Newcastle's 2-0 Premiership defeat away to Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Owen, widely seen as vital to England's hopes of winning next year's finals in Germany, failed to appear for the second half after a collision with international team-mate and Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson and could now be sidelined for up to 12 weeks.

"It's disappointing but everyone gets their fair share, if there's any consolation I've got plenty of time before the World Cup," Owen told Sky Sports News. Asked if the injury would affect his World Cup, he replied: "Not from what all the experts are telling me.

"There's no quick ways, it's two-and-a-half months or three months, I don't know what it is but it's the same for everyone. Loads of people have had it done - (Wayne) Rooney, (David) Beckham, Gary Neville and Stevie Gerrard."

With the World Cup just six months away, concerned England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson told the Football Association website, thefa.com: "Obviously I'm very disappointed for Michael. It's very bad luck for him and for Newcastle United.

"Michael is a fantastic striker and a very important player for his club and for England.

"I hope that he returns to fitness as soon as possible and I will follow his progress very closely," added the Swede of Newcastle's record 17 million pound signing, who joined the Magpies in a pre-season move from Real Madrid.

Downbeat Newcastle manager Graeme Souness said: "It's a mighty blow. It's an absolute disaster for him and an absolute disaster for the club. It's a dark day for us."

He added: "Michael Owen has broken his fifth metatarsal in his right foot. He's had it X-rayed here and he will obviously be out for several months now.

"It's a similar injury to David Beckham's (in 2002). It's an almighty blow for us.

"Even when you're not playing particularly well, you feel that you can win games with Michael in your team. I can't tell you how big a miss he will be

Beckham recovered from his similar injury in 2002 and played in the World Cup, although he was not fully fit and appeared to short of his best form.

If Owen was ruled out of any England games, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Darren Bent would be in contention to replace him alongside Wayne Rooney, but none of them can rival his experience or goalscoring potential.

To make matters even worse for Newcastle, goalkeeper Shay Given could also be ruled out of Monday's Tyne-Tees derby with Middlesbrough - and possibly beyond - due to a suspected broken bone in his thumb.

"Shay Given may have broken a bone in his thumb as well, so it's not been a good afternoon for us," Souness added. "It looks like it will keep him out of the Middlesbrough game.

"He's had it X-rayed but we've not had the results back yet. There's a great deal of swelling and that can sometimes hide any damage. We can't be too precise just yet."

Full-back Peter Ramage is also doubtful for the Boro game, having been replaced by Celestine Babayaro at half-time, shortly after being caught out as Teemu Tainio put Spurs ahead.

"Ramage was feeling his calf on one leg and his Achilles on the other leg. He had a difficult 45 minutes and that's unfortunately where they got their breakthrough from," Souness said.

Owen has struggled with injuries in the past, suffering hamstring trouble at various points in his Liverpool career after first pulling up in a game at Leeds in April 1999.

Injury sidelined him at the start of this season but he has since scored seven goals in nine starts for Newcastle, with a hat-trick against West Ham on December 17.