Michael Owen could be out for a month after sustaining a groin injury in training with Newcastle. The England striker is 50-50 for the clash with Manchester City on Monday.

The in-form striker tweaked a groin in training on Wednesday and faces a scan later today.

And Owen could be out for up to a month if the scan delivers bad news, according to interim manager Joe Kinnear.

He told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "He tweaked his groin in training so he is a big doubt. It's 50-50 whether he plays for the Man City match. He is having a scan today.

"Then we will find out more, we are just assessing the situation. I am hoping it is not as bad as it looked when he first did it.

I am hoping it may have calmed down but we are worried that if the scan shows a tear then he could be out for a month. Hopefully it won't be but we are in the dark until later on today."