Dudley Rogg, clinic director of the British Hernia Centre, has questioned the decision to send Owen to a specialist in Germany after it emerged the striker has a torn abductor muscle.

Owen is expected to have surgery by world-renowned German surgeon Ulrike Muschaweck tomorrow or Friday and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has ruled his forward out of England's Euro 2008 qualifiers next month.

Allardyce said Newcastle are aiming to have Owen back to face Tottenham on October 22 "at the very, very earliest".

After a week and a half of speculation about whether Owen was suffering from a hernia, groin problem or other injury, it emerged today he has an abductor muscle tear and a suspected weakness in his stomach which could lead to a hernia, with both problems likely to need keyhole surgery in Germany.

Rogg told PA Sport: "Whatever it is, I find it absolutely astonishing he is going to travel to Germany to have an operation when we have really top, world-class surgeons in this country who are at least as expert in the field."

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