KEEGAN`S CONCERN OVER OWEN

ENGLAND supremo Kevin Keegan has admitted to being worried over the fitness of Michael Owen and this has forced him into a rethink over his plans for next month`s prestigious friendly with Argentina.

Owen missed Liverpool`s surprise FA Cup 4th round exit at the hands of Blackburn Rovers, and even if he returns to the side he is far from guaranteed a place in the squad for the fixture on February 23.

The precocious Pool striker`s latest injury is thought to be unrelated to his continuing hamstring problem, and, despite this, it is a headache for Keegan.

"I am concerned about it as Michael`s a great player," Keegan declared. "But if he`s not fit to play for Liverpool, he`s not fit enough to play for England.

"If he is fit he`ll be in an England squad but that will have to be decided by Liverpool, and I can only pick up where they leave off."

With Owen a possible absentee, Keegan has the opportunity to experiment, but he is unlikely to blood a whole host of youngsters in such an important fixture.

"There will be a little bit of experiment," said the former Newcastle boss, "but I haven`t got six or seven games to try this or that out.

"It`ll be pretty much an experienced side."

After facing Argentina, England have just three more fixtures before Euro 2000 - against Brazil and an unconfirmed fixture at the end of May, before an eve of tournament match in Malta.

Alex Livie