Neville expects Owen recall

Everton skipper backs snubbed striker to bounce back

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 6th October 2008

Neville expects Owen recall

Neville: Backing Owen to return

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Phil Neville has told Sky Sports News he expects Michael Owen to earn an England recall in the future.

The Newcastle striker is yet to convince national coach Fabio Capello that he is deserving of a place in his squad and has been left out once again for the upcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Owen has scored five goals for a troubled Magpies side this season, while he sits fourth on the list of England's all-time goalscorers.

That, though, has not been enough to see him oust the likes of Jermain Defoe and Emile Heskey from the Three Lions fold.

However, Everton skipper Neville is backing Owen to force his way back into contention over the coming months.

Class

"Everyone knows Michael's qualities so he'll be back in the squad - I'm sure of it," Neville told Sky Sports News.

"The last game against Croatia (4-1 win in Zagreb) the lads did remarkably well, putting in probably the best performance by an England side for a long time, so players have to be patient and as long as England are doing well that's all that matters.

"We have probably underperformed and there has been a lot of criticism of the team over the last few years so it's nice to start getting some nice comments.

"But everybody wants to play for England: Michael, myself. Every English player who is not in that squad wants to play for England.

"It's up to those out of the squad to push those that are in it and get back in there.

"Michael's a quality striker, he is nearly our highest goal scorer, and class is permanent."

Confidence

Meanwhile, having endured a turbulent start to the current Premier League season with Everton, Neville admits the international break has come at an ideal time for the Toffees.

"It's a long break, I think you can think about things too much," he added.

"We have to look at the positives, we have every player back fit now and we need to get those that have been out injured up to match-fitness in the next two weeks.

"We need to make sure we come out of this international break with more confidence and ready to go again."