Owen progress positive

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The 27-year-old England international has returned from his trip to Germany to consult top specialist Hans-Wilhelm Muller Wohlfahrt over his torn thigh muscle and is currently ahead of the initial prognosis in terms of his recovery.

Allardyce said: "Michael is back from Germany and coming forward a lot quicker than we thought, and we will hopefully have him back well before Christmas."

Neither Allardyce nor the £17million man are setting a specific date for the player's return, although there have been suggestions he could even make the Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham on December 8.

Owen's latest injury problem struck in England's 1-0 friendly victory in Austria on November 16, five days before his country's Euro 2008 exit at the hands of Croatia.

The Magpies believed at the time that he would be out for between four and six weeks, and any shortening of that period would come as a major boost to a manager who finds himself under pressure as fitness problems bite hard into his squad.

Owen's time at St James' Park has been punctuated both by injury and rumours that he could leave the club he joined from Real Madrid in August 2005.

The latest transfer speculation emerged earlier this week when it was claimed new Wigan boss Steve Bruce could make him a target.

Asked about the reports, Allardyce replied: "I wouldn't think so."