Razzler

He named a bigger than usual squad to account for these things, i think but now Johnson AND Ashton have pulled out

I often wonder about the level of communication between England manager and club managers as well tbh

Rob1981

Ashton did at least take a knock in West Ham's game yesterday - and he's having a scan and will still join up with the squad if he's likely to be fit to play any part

Johnson's sounds like it's a pre-planned operation timed to coincide with the international break...

BBB

yeah and?

why should they have the op when everton are playing

Razzler

Well, international break is a good time to have the op tbh. He's pulled out of a fair few squads over the last year or so though. I am sure that kind of stuff gets remembered. Injury or not

Rob1981

no that's fair. but my point is that if they have been planning it, which blatantly they have, they could at least tell the FA in advance. as it is, McClaren names the lad on Friday in good faith, only to be told two days later that he won't be available.

Lermon

annoying internationals, keep breaking up the season as its just getting started. Suppose at least these two fixtures are the last ones now.

merry_miller

They aren't ? We've still got Croatia at home to play yet

Lermon

hmm strange, misread then somewhere. Maybe it was Scotland or someone that had 2 remaining fixtures.

Rob1981

nah, Scotland have got three to play too

Ukraine and Georgia this month, then Italy at home in November

Rob1981

Owen schedule concerns Allardyce

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has voiced concerns about Michael Owen's ability to play two England games in four days so soon after undergoing groin surgery.

The 27-year-old striker returned to score in Sunday's 3-2 win over Everton - only nine days after his operation.

England face Estonia on Saturday and Russia on 17 October and Allardyce said: "I don't know if two games in such a short space of time is right.

"It's not my decision but I will speak to England boss Steve McClaren."

Owen will be expected to play a key role in England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia at Wembley on Saturday, plus next week's clash with Russia in Moscow.

But Allardyce added: "For me, it's about every match Newcastle play that he is available to be selected for.

"It has been a terrific recovery after an operation by one of the best surgeons in the world to have a repair of the stomach and an abductor muscle."

Owen's Newcastle team-mate Alan Smith will join up with the England squad this week, although Allardyce admitted he had a slight knee injury.