Manchester, October 01: Michael Owen was last night ruled out of contention for Fabio Capello’s England squad on the same day that he declared his intention to revive his international career.
The Manchester United striker limped out of the Champions League victory over Wolfsburg after just 20 minutes with Fabio Capello in the Old Trafford stands.
Owen, 29, was always a long shot for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine on 10 October and Belarus four days’ later but Capello’s presence at the game suggested that the England manager was at least prepared to give him a chance. Instead Owen faces three weeks on the sidelines recovering from another groin injury.
Sir Alex Ferguson played down fears about Owen’s long-term durability last night although it will not have escaped his attention that taking penalties against journalists at an event for sponsor Tissot on Monday will not have been the ideal rest for such an injury-prone player. In Cyprus, Chelsea also went top of their group with a Nicolas Anelka goal enough to beat Apoel Nicosia.
–Agencies