Newcastle striker Michael Owen insists his anger over his England commitments has nothing to do with manager Sam Allardyce.

Owen denies he is gambling with his Newcastle career by rushing back from a major op to play for England against Estonia on Saturday.

In a clear message to Allardyce, defiant Owen said: "I'm not going to apologise for wanting to play for England.

"Looking at other examples, Shaun Wright-Phillips had a hamstring injury, not played for a couple of games and he is fit for England." And Owen added: "I have no problems with the manager."