Newcastle have sent £17million striker Michael Owen to Germany in a bid to speed up his recovery from a thigh injury.

The 27-year-old, who damaged a thigh muscle during England's 1-0 friendly victory in Austria on Friday evening, has headed back to consult top specialist Hans-Wilhelm Muller Wohlfahrt.

Allardyce told the Evening Chronicle: "We have sent Michael to Germany to see Dr Wohlfahrt in a bid to speed up his recovery from his thigh injury.

"But at this moment in time, we do no see the point in changing our view that we will be without Michael for between four and six weeks.

"If we start talking about him coming back earlier there will be disappointment if he does not.

"However if we can get him back quicker after Dr Wohlfahrt's treatment, then it will be a huge bonus for us."