LONDON, March 27 -- Michael Owen has insisted he will recover fitness in time for this summer's World Cup, calming fears over a setback in his recovery from a broken bone in his foot.

The Newcastle and England striker, who has not played since 31 December, had to undergo further surgery on Friday.

And he was quoted by the Times as saying: "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. That leaves plenty of time to get fit."

Owen initially suffered the injury in a Premiership game against Tottenham and it was hoped he may be back for the game against Middlesbrough on 9 April.

But Newcastle's third game before the end of the season against West Brom on 22 April - or even the trip to Birmingham a week later - look like marking his return to action.

That will give him limited time to build up his match fitness before England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson names his squad on 15 May and the start of the World Cup in Germany on 9 June.

Owen said: "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.

"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."

England captain David Beckham suffered a similar injury before the last World Cup and was not at full fitness in Japan and Korea.

But Owen added: "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.

"I'm not expecting that to be an issue. I am expecting to go to Germany 100 percent fit."