Allardyce says there is no bad blood with Michael Owen

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce says there is no bad blood with Michael Owen over the striker's return to the England fold.

Owen signalled his desire to feature in England's Euro 2008 qualifiers with Estonia and Russia by scoring Newcastle's winner in their 3-2 success over Everton on Sunday.

His goal came just eight days after undergoing stomach surgery but led to Allardyce contacting England head coach Steve McClaren over Owen's state of fitness.

While Owen insists he will only listen to what his surgeon has to say in regards to how hard he can push himself and his level of fitness, speculation that a three-way rift has developed has been played down.

McClaren has said that there is no disagreement with Allardyce and his EnglandNewcastle manager Allardyce has moved swiftly to smooth things over. striker while

"It's just people trying to get between myself and Michael," the former Bolton manager said.

"The same has happened with Steven Gerrard and Rafa Benitez at Liverpool earlier this year - it's a common theme during the international breaks.

"For me as manager, I have 14 players away on international duty representing their countries, and for each and every one of them, all I can do is keep my fingers crossed they come back fit and well."

The club versus country debate is sure to continue in the build up to England's contests with Estonia and Russia over the next seven days and Owen's club team-mate Joey Barton yesterday added fuel to the fire when he revealed where his loyalties lie.

Barton, who has a solitary cap to his name, said: "People get carried away about playing for their country. But the thing I have to do first and foremost is to do what I have been bought to do and that is play good football for Newcastle.

"I am more interested in winning domestic honours."