Owen to undergo operation on foot

England and Newcastle striker Michael Owen will have surgery to pin the broken bone in his right foot as he aims for a quick recovery to regain full fitness in time for this year's World Cup.

The 26-year-old could face three months on the sidelines after cracking the fifth metatarsal during Saturday's 2-0 Premiership defeat at Tottenham.

"I have been given the name of a good surgeon and I am going to have a pin inserted," Owen was reported as saying.

"It's not essential but I've been told that it should give me the best chance of a quick recovery."

Owen is not only hopeful of being fit for the World Cup finals in Germany, which start in June, but also optimistic of his chances of playing for Newcastle again this season.

"I don't need any miracles to be playing again this season and, fingers crossed, I will see at least a month of the Premier League season as well as the World Cup," said the former Real Madrid and Liverpool player.

Several high-profile England players have suffered the identical injury in recent years including Liverpool's Steven Gerrard in September 2004 and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney who limped out of Euro 2004.

England captain Beckham recovered just in time from a break in his second metatarsal to take part in the 2002 World Cup finals.

Owen related his injury to similar ones suffered by Beckham, Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Gary Neville and Ashley Cole.

"The experiences of so many of my colleagues provides some re-assurance that I should be back in two to three months," he said.

"Some players with similar foot injuries have been back on the pitch in eight weeks so that is the most optimistic scenario.

"Thirteen weeks seems to be the worst case to judge from the information I have had from the likes of Gerrard."

Owen's injury is a huge blow for Newcastle manager Graeme Souness who paid 17 million pounds to bring the striker back to English football from Real Madrid in August.

Despite Newcastle's mediocre form, Owen has forged a dangerous strike partnership with former England team-mate Alan Shearer, scoring seven league goals, including a hat-trick against West Ham United last month.