England striker Michael Owen expects to go to the World Cup "100 per cent fit". The 26-year-old fractured a metatarsal in his right foot in a Premiership game at Tottenham in December.

He had a screw inserted into his foot in January and his recovery suffered a setback last week when doctors decided that screw should be replaced and tightened.

Owen has surgery on Friday and is expected to return to hospital today to have a protective cover fitted.

"I have to admit I was a bit down when the surgeon rang last week to say he was advising me to go back into hospital," Owen told a British newspaper.

"But it was my brother who pointed out that there are still 11 weeks until the World Cup starts. I should be back in four. That leaves plenty of time to get my full fitness and, as for scoring goals, I have been doing that all my life and I will have all the same instincts when I am 50.

"There is always a scare or two before a tournament but, if this is as bad as it gets for England, then we should be pretty well off.

"There is just one bit of the bone that needs another helping hand and Friday's operation, which went well, should do that. I expect to be playing in four weeks, which, hopefully, gives me the chance to finish the season with Newcastle. The club and the fans have been great to me and I want to pay them back."

England captain David Beckham broke a metatarsal in the build-up to the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea and was below his best when the tournament got under way.

"I have heard people compare it to David's injury and ask whether the manager should be taking players if they are not fully fit," Owen said. I'm not expecting that to be an issue. I am expecting to go to Germany 100 per cent fit." PA