Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd says striker Michael Owen will not be that good once he returns back from injury.
Owen, 27, has targeted a return from cruciate ligament damage before the end of the season, putting him in line for England's game against Estonia in June.
But Shepherd told the Newcastle Chronicle: "He will return when it suits him but don't expect him to be scoring goals"
"If he's good enough for Newcastle, he's not good enough for the national side."
The importance of Owen to England has been exaggerated since his goal against Argentina in June 1998 when Owen played for Liverpool but since his move to Real Madrid he's not been that good. His return to the Premiership and Newcastle signalled his glory days were over.
Shepherd added: "I am a closet Liverpool fan and I think we should've signed Fowler instead."
"But let's stop this clamour for Michael returning to play for England before it gets our hopes of qualification up.
"I'd like to see Michael play but David Nugent is hitting form and Theo Walcott's girlfriend is in the lad's mags so if we see more of him she might take her top off. "
Owen injured his knee playing for England in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and Shepherd has locked horns with Mother Nature over him being as delicate as a flower.
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