Owen eyes England recall

Experienced striker still holding out international hope

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 8th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Owen eyes England recall

Owen: Out to impress

I played basically right the way through until about two years ago, which was my last game. So hopefully I will play for them again one day, you never know.

Michael Owen on his England ambition
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Michael Owen is refusing to give up on his international ambitions and believes he can earn an England recall.

The Manchester United striker last appeared for his country in March 2008, with Fabio Capello choosing to overlook him on a consistent basis.

The Italian has opted to take the side in a different direction, with Owen finding himself on the outside looking in.

The former Liverpool and Newcastle star has seen his efforts hindered by niggling injuries, but has been in contention for long periods of Capello's reign.

Owen has seen the likes of Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent edge ahead of him in the pecking order, with youth favoured over experience.

The one-time golden boy of English football is not prepared to give up without a fight, though, and hopes a number of impressive showings for United could see him drafted back in from the wilderness.

Hope

In a question and answer session, as part of a Manchester United education initiative, with pupils from Manchester's Mount Carmel RC Primary School, Owen said: "I've got 89 caps so far. I played for England for many years, starting when I was 18.

"I played basically right the way through until about two years ago, which was my last game. So hopefully I will play for them again one day, you never know."

Owen insists his fitness should no longer be a cause for concern, as he feels capable of turning out for club and country on a regular basis.

He said: "I've had my fair share (of injuries) but also had plenty of games. When I look back and see the amount of matches I have played at club level, international level, I do not feel harshly treated by too many injuries.

"I get in about 9am. I do all my preparation work for training for 45 minutes. I see the physio and we make sure everything is in the right place and moving right. Then we start all together at 9.45."

Hero

Of more immediate concern for Owen is forcing his way into Sir Alex Ferguson's plans for an away date at boyhood heroes Everton on Saturday - a game which can be seen live on Sky Sports 2, HD 2 and in Sky 3D.

"When I was growing up my sporting hero was always Gary Lineker," he said.

"I supported Everton when I was a little boy.

"Now I am just impressed with anyone who does their sport at a high level. I know how hard it is."

Comments (13)

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Luke Conway (Liverpool fan) says...

Owen might not feel hard done by with inuries but i certainly feel he has been. He burst on to the scene, young talented and full of energy, set the world alight in 98 and then injury just kept stuttering his career. A fit, in form owen is the best striker england have exept for rooney who seems to have never returned to his awesome indiviual form he had he euros a few years back... maybe thats down to ferguson having diluted his relentless attacking nature into a more rounded team player... i hope not, england need that inspiration.

Posted 22:43 8th September 2010

Shin Belfort says...

Michael Owen is possibly the best natural striker in the world - he has not been given the consistency of games he needs to sharpen his skills to the level we know he can perform - he is a role model and deserves his England place on the basis of past performance!

Posted 21:38 8th September 2010

Jonny Malton (Liverpool fan) says...

How desperate has he become? The guy can''t even warm a place on the bench at club level how on earth does he even think he remotely deserves an england place? He is well past his best and is nothing but an average poacher, his goalscoring record since his return back to England is appalling.

Posted 21:35 8th September 2010

John Byrne says...

Owen has class written right through him...he is world class and floors above any current England striker - he is the Gerd Muller of our time...he needs to operate in a set up that can match his skills and the likes of Rooney, a well overrated fat boy, will never compliment his athleticism or professionalism - Wayne can score against the likes of the Swiss, but watch the Germans just blot him out - they don''t have that record v Owen - England need to build around Owen - set the team up to accommodate him as we have no other player in his sphere (Ashley Cole is about as near as we have got). England are in the same bracket as Scotland and Eire right now - we are better than Bulgaria - big deal! We managed to better the Swiss - wow-we! Hardly a footballing nation are they...they can beat us at in bobsleighs and on skis though...let''s get real and admit that you can''t have a Premiership full of imports and expect England to rule the waves - we have so few authentically quality players that look good against Bolton and Wigan but who really can''t cut the mustard in the top ten in the world - Rooney and Lampard are carthorses - Wayne is no Tony Currie or Rodney Marsh - he is a work horse who runs at players - he is as predictable as taxes with no football intelligence - Owen represents a dying breed in England - make the most of him while we can maybe?

Posted 21:32 8th September 2010

Brian Smith (Everton fan) says...

I am sorry Michael you need to wake up and smell the coffee. Sadly your career has been plagued by injuries and to play for England now you either need to play regularly for a big club (you dont) be a big money signing (you were not) or score lots of goals (you are not) but hey follow your dream there is nothing I would like to see more than you in the England and Man U teams on current not past merit.

Posted 21:24 8th September 2010

Lee Cook (Manchester United fan) says...

i think owen should certainly be involved with the england setup when the games become serious. his ability and awareness in the box is second to none in my opinon. and like we saw at hte world cup we needed something to come off the bench and score us a goal... if there is one thing owen has ... its a goal... beckham has a cheeky cross/free kick without doubt owen has a cheeky toe poke or header from the 6yard box... should be on the bench... owen or carlton cole? is that a serious question

Posted 21:19 8th September 2010

Jason Hydes (Manchester United fan) says...

If he was scoring regularly he should be considered with all the others who are doing so. Until then he should concentrate on putting the ball in the net for united and getting game time.

Posted 20:54 8th September 2010

Tom Wells (West Ham United fan) says...

Yeah, Michael, I agree... Even though I am a Hammer myself, I really DO agree that he is better than Cole, I just think he needs to be fully fit again... But Capello really does need to grow a pair and drop the flops that are big names and bring in people who DO have skill, even if they don''t have big names... I know what i said wandered off the point a bit, but it still stands

Posted 20:43 8th September 2010

Terence Davis says...

Michael should have swallowed his pride and dropped his wage demands and gone to a lesser club and played regular games he would have re discovered his goal scoring touch long ago and would probably played for england long ago.

Posted 20:31 8th September 2010

Chilly Chilly says...

Oh come on, let him out to pasture - with the rest of the ''old'' team... they have nothing to offer this new, vibrant side!

Posted 20:07 8th September 2010

Jon Summer (Crystal Palace fan) says...

...and so he shouldn''t give up. Carlton Cole? Heskey (though even he was one of the better players @ the world cup), even Crouch... Owen is better than these. Of course he''s changed his game and going to United was a great choice. He''s can play fine and you don''t have to score to make an impact. He''d be great to start with due to his experience and great off the bench as he''s a poacher. Makes total sense.

Posted 19:44 8th September 2010

Rick H (Liverpool fan) says...

As much as I like Owen, and as much as I want him to break the England scoring record (and wipe that smug smirk off Bobby Charlton''s face), England have moved on and appear to have plenty of other options available. Unless Fergie thinks he should be playing for Utd by picking him regularly, there''s no way Fabio will pick him.

Posted 19:30 8th September 2010

Michael Howarth (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Michael Owen should be in the England squad without a doubt. The man may not be in his prime anymore, however you cannot doubt his ability in the box. The guy is better than Carlton Cole by some distance. Come on Capello, swallow your pride!!

Posted 18:54 8th September 2010
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