McClaren hopes to have Terry and Owen fit

Any England manager trades in the unexpected, but sometimes it can be good news that surprises him. It is now looking likely that Steve McClaren will have the captain John Terry available for the critical Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia at Wembley on October 13 and, more significantly, Russia in Moscow four days later. There is a hope, too, that Michael Owen could take part despite surgery in Germany at the weekend.

Since fracturing a cheekbone in Chelsea's goalless draw with Fulham on Saturday, Terry too has undergone surgery but he will travel with the squad for tomorrow's Champions League match in Valencia. It is expected that he will train today, with the cheek covered by a protective mask, and he has not ruled out playing in the Mestalla.

"That's encouraging news," said McClaren, "because if he's thinking like that now there's a very good chance he'll be playing in two weeks. Both Michael and John seem to be very confident of coming back very quickly. I name the squad on Friday and I would like those two players in it." The manager is being diplomatic and, out of tact, prefers to let clubs make statements about the condition of their employees. None the less, encouragement is leaking out.

The operation on Owen to avert a hernia and to repair an abductor muscle went well, according to the surgeon Ulrike Muschaweck. "The surgery has been performed without any problems," she said. "I think that after eight to 10 days Michael Owen can be back to full activity. I don't know about the game for Newcastle [at Everton on Sunday] but in a maximum of 14 days he will be back on full activity."

The attacker could undertake light jogging today. Despite Newcastle United's concern over a player with a troubled medical history, it will scarcely be easy to deny Owen following a return to international action that saw him score three goals in the two qualifiers with Israel and Russia last month.

"Michael Owen's performances since he came back are such that we need him in this team," said McClaren, who was speaking at the Tesco Skills road show at West Bromwich Albion's Hawthorns ground. "I have a good relationship with Sam Allardyce at Newcastle and nothing will be done without their say-so and without liaising with their medical team. I get the final decision of course, but you take the club's point of view into consideration. And when he comes back, you look at him in training."

David Beckham's ankle injury will prevent him from playing in this month's qualifiers, but there is a possibility that he will be available for England's closing game in the group, against Croatia on November 21.

Despite optimism over Terry and Owen, there are concerns for McClaren this week, though. For example as a reaction to the limited game time that Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon have had for varying reasons at Tottenham, it is virtually certain that Dean Ashton will be named in the squad. McClaren had every intention of giving the West Ham forward his international debut in the manager's first game in charge, against Greece in August 2006.

In the build-up to that game, though, Ashton's ankle was broken in an accidental training-ground collision with Shaun Wright-Phillips. It has taken a year for the attacker to get back to full fitness, but he impressed for his club against Arsenal last Saturday and had scored in his three previous appearances.

"Ashton has forced his way in," said McClaren. "It was very disappointing about the injury last season. I have been watching him from pre-season onwards. He comes into consideration."

"I feel ready to play for England if I am picked," Ashton said. "If I didn't feel ready I wouldn't be playing. I am improving in every game. All I can do is maintain that improvement and do my best for West Ham in every game. Hopefully that will be enough to impress Steve McClaren."

Frank Lampard may soon return to the Chelsea line-up and Owen Hargreaves has recovered from a groin strain at Manchester United, but there are greater misgivings about Gary Neville. The right-back might attempt a comeback before long, but various injuries have kept him out of action since March. Not all the tidings for McClaren can be gladdening.