Sam Allardyce will allow Michael Owen to play for England if he is fit by next week.

Owen has been ruled out of Newcastle's Premier League opener against Bolton on Saturday with a thigh problem but could face Germany on 22nd August.

The striker could use the friendly to help him regain match fitness having played just 45 minutes in pre-season.

Allardyce believes Owen would benefit from featuring for England as part of his return to full fitness and is open to the idea of him playing for Steve McClaren's men.

"Michael would, at the very earliest be fit at the beginning of next week, but not fit enough to play first-team football without a couple of games behind closed doors or in the reserves," Allardyce said in The Daily Telegraph.

"It (the Germany game) could be a good thing for us if he is fit by the end of next week, plays a reserve game and gets involved in a game with us and then gets another game for England under his belt.

"It would be better doing it that way if it helps, so an extra game for him is all we need."