Keegan was down to just one fit striker – Alan Smith – for last night's 1-0 friendly defeat to Real Mallorca in Palma, with Shola Ameobi having joined Owen, Mark Viduka, Obafemi Martins and Andy Carroll on the sidelines after tweaking his hamstring against Hertha Berlin on Friday.

Owen is yet to kick a ball this pre-season because of a calf problem, and he was left behind to work on his fitness while his team-mates travelled to Spain for the two Mallorca Summer Cup fixtures.

Keegan, however, has been in regular touch with the striker and his staff at Benton, and he hopes Owen will be return to training tomorrow.

While Wednesday's home friendly against PSV Eindhoven will most likely be too early for the 28-year-old, Keegan is Owen will feature for the first time this season against Valencia at St James's Park on Saturday.

"Michael's training is going really well, and by the time we get back, he'll be ready to train with the group," Keegan said.

"The first game might be a bit too early, but the second game's a possibility."