Lee Clark's first goal of the season secured an injury-time point for the hosts in a frenetic finish at St James' Park here Monday.

But another uninspired Newcastle performance underlined what a significant loss the England forward, who joined United in a 17 million pounds pre-season move from Real Madrid, will be during his minimum three month recuperation from a broken metatarsal bone.

Owen undergoes surgery on Tuesday to insert a pin in his damaged foot, and Newcastle manager Souness said after the clash: "Michael will have his operation on Tuesday, and he'll be out for three months.

Newcastle have taken just one point from their last three games to leave them becalmed in mid-table. And their injury situation could yet worsen with Scott Parker, the England midfielder, facing knee surgery if he fails to respond to treatment.