More misery for Owen as the striker sits out Magpies' pre-season tournament

The Newcastle captain is also thought to been have been suffering from mumps which had forced him to miss most of the last three weeks of pre-season training.

But, speaking before the start of the Mallorca Summer Cup which opens with Newcastle's clash against Hertha Berlin on Friday, Geordie boss Keegan announced Owen has a calf problem which has curtailed his involvement with the first-team squad.

Michael Owen

Owen, Mark Viduka and Joey Barton are all absent from the threadbare Newcastle party which has gathered in Spain but it is Owen which is bound to cause the most concern.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker has remained, with Barton, at the Newcastle training ground to step up his fitness work ahead of friendlies against PSV Eindhoven and Valencia at St James's Park next week.

Keegan said: 'Michael has not played a game for us yet this summer because he had a slight calf problem.

'It will clear up - it's not mumps. He missed England games earlier in the summer because mumps but for us it's been a slight calf.

'We took the view to keep him back a bit and get him ready for our two home friendlies before the start of the season.

'He's back training and has passed injury but he's got to get match fit. Even if he had come over he would not have played.'

Newcastle face Hertha Berlin tomorrow night and then meet hosts Real Mallorca on Sunday.

Argentina winger Jonas Gutierrez is with the Newcastle squad but it is unclear whether he will be able to play against Real as they still hold his registration documents in protest over his switch to Tyneside.

Keegan added: 'This tournament is a great step up for us because our first friendly was against a League One side and last week we played Doncaster who are in the Championship.

'German teams are always very well prepared, as I know from playing there, and Real Mallorca are a very good side as well.

'It's a very good tournament and we're very happy to be here.'