Matt Lawton told the Sunday Supplement he can not understand why Michael Owen is being ignored
Owen is the outcast in Capello's regime
Matt Lawton told the
Sunday Supplement he can not understand why Michael Owen is continuously overlooked by Fabio Capello.
The tarnish was taken off England's comfortable and impressive win over Slovakia by the injuries sustained by Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and Peter Crouch during the game, forcing Capello to call-up Darren Bent to cover the injured trio.
The Italian, when asked in a press conference about the Newcastle striker Owen, said he did not feel he was fit enough for England duty but Lawton, of the Daily Mail, feels even a fit Owen will be lucky to get another England cap at all with Capello in charge.
"I find it staggering," he said. "I don't know what he has done to upset Fabio Capello.
"He's got 40 goals in 89 England appearances, scored against Brazil in a World Cup on one leg... I accept he may no longer fit into Capello's system but for the same reason David Beckham remains in the England squad as an impact player Owen has got to be in the squad.
"Michael Owen has proved his international class again and again and again. I've got very little I can criticise Capello about, I think he has done a great job, but I think he is totally wrong about Michael Owen."
Criticism
Lawton believes Capello's refusal to select the striker may have its roots in the aftermath of England's defeat to France last year. "There was the issue in Paris after that game. Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney didn't work, Owen came on, the whole system was confusing and England were poor and Capello got a bit of criticism.
"In the mixed zone after the game Owen was asked if he understood if he knew what he was supposed to be doing. He said 'you better ask the manager because basically I didn't get it'. It was that dismissive remark which appears to be held against him. He hasn't been in an England squad since and that was 12 months ago."
The injuries, in addition to the absence of Jermain Defoe and Dean Ashton, have left England incredibly short of forwards and Lawton admitted there were few options left other than Bent - if Capello was to once again ignore Owen. "Bent was probably the last one left. We were sitting in the press box racking our brains and people like Kevin Davies were getting a mention but Capello completely dismissed him yesterday.
"For me it's a no brainer: it's Michael Owen. Ring him up, 'can you run up and down the pitch? Right get yourself down here'."
Lawton can't see Owen back in an England shirt under Capello. "He has been fit and playing and he has still been ignored. I don't think he will play for England under Capello."
