SAM Allardyce last night admitted that Michael Owen's next start could come for England rather than Newcastle United - because he has far more attacking options at his disposal than embattled national coach Steve McClaren.

And the Magpies manager is also expected to increase his defensive alternatives later today when Marseille full-back Habib Beye and Bolton centre-half Abdoulaye Faye complete their respective transfers to Newcastle.

Owen scored his first goal of the season as the Magpies cruised into the Carling Cup third round last night courtesy of a 2-0 win over Championship opponents Barnsley, and appeared considerably sharper than he had been during last week's international friendly with Germany.

The 27-year-old is still to start a Premier League game for Newcastle this season and, despite last night's efforts, Allardyce has hinted that he is unlikely to make the starting line-up for this weekend's home game with Wigan.

But with Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch ruled out of next month's crucial European Championships qualifier with Israel, the United boss has admitted that Owen will now be a certain starter for his country on September 8.

"Steve was here this evening and I don't think there's any question that Michael will start for England," said Allardyce, who watched Obafemi Martins confirm Newcastle's victory with his third goal of the campaign. "England have fewer options than I do, don't they?

"I have four options up front and England don't have many at all. But that will be good for Michael, for Newcastle and for England.

"As for the weekend, though, if he's fit and well (today), we'll have a look and see where we go from there.

"It's not a formality that Michael starts on Saturday. I'll have to weigh up the whole situation and select a squad according to what everyone's done in the past and where everyone's at in terms of their fitness. At this stage of the season, nobody can be guaranteed a place."

Last night's victory completed a productive 24 hours for Allardyce, who now appears certain to sign both Faye and Beye before the transfer window swings shut on August 31.

Faye completed a medical at Newcastle's Darsley Park training ground yesterday after Bolton chairman Phil Gartside finally accepted the Magpies' £2m offer for the Senegal international.

The move has not been without its complications after Gartside did everything possible in an attempt to prevent Faye joining his former boss on Tyneside but, provided the results of the tests are positive, the African should become the Magpies' eighth summer signing later today.

He is likely to be joined by compatriot Beye within the next 24 hours after Marseille president Pape Diouf agreed to release his club's skipper yesterday evening.

The full-back was first linked with a move to the Magpies in June, but while Allardyce cooled his initial interest earlier in the summer, he was forced to rekindle his pursuit when both Stephen Carr and Peter Ramage sustained long-term injuries in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough.

"At the moment we are not too far off," confirmed Diouf. "In the next 24 hours, it could definitely be clinched."

Both Faye and Beye can look forward to a Carling Cup third-round tie if they complete their moves, with Newcastle's place in Saturday's draw rarely looking in doubt last night.

The Magpies were not at their most fluent, but Allardyce said: "We were never in trouble, apart from getting over-frustrated when we couldn't break them down as much as we would have liked. But we have to give them credit for that."