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Wed 09 Sep 2007Double hernia operation for OwenSoccer Digest: Michael Owen is scheduled to undergo a double hernia operation in Germany on Friday. The England and Newcastle United striker's need for surgery, which will almost certainly rule him out of next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia, writes Louise Taylor.Owen will fly to Munich to be operated on by Ulrike Muschaweck, a leading female surgeon, who has previously dealt with hernias suffered by Alan Shearer, the former Newcastle striker, and Steve Harper, their goalkeeper. One reason why Owen - who had originally hoped to delay surgery until December - has elected to be treated in Munich rather than Bradford is that Muschaweck's world-renowned skill enabled Shearer to return to action just 10 days after being on the operating table in 2005. However, in Owen's case, a 10-day timescale is believed to be over optimistic and sources suggest he may endure around a month on the sidelines. (Guardian Service)