... it was another injury that finally killed off his England dream. It was announced today he could be out of action - for England and Newcastle - for up to five months after the striker suffered cruciate ligament damage against Sweden.
Owen injured his right knee during the first minute of England's 2-2 draw against Sweden in Cologne and flew back to the team hotel in Baden-Baden ahead of an MRI scan this morning at the Max Grundig hospital at Buhlertal.
The fear was confirmed, and it is serious ligament damage which will see him miss the first half of the new season with a metatarsal injury.
Sky Sports reported this morning that Owen will be out of action for five months.