Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce has played down op fears for Michael Owen.

Allardyce said: "We sent him for a scan as a precaution. But the result is he is absolutely fine and will be fit to play on Sunday."

Owen, 27, has just returned to action after a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury.

He is back on the goalscoring trail, hitting the winner for Newcastle against Wigan and netting in the Carling Cup against Barnsley.

Owen also scored for England against Israel and hit a brace in the 3-0 win over Russia.

But he looked jaded in Newcastle's defeat at Pride Park and was substituted 10 minutes into the second half.