Owen cuts it fine for World Cup

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...06/4874772.stm

Newcastle striker Michael Owen believes he may only have one game to prove he is fit to take his place in England's squad for this summer's World Cup.

Owen has undergone two operations since breaking a foot bone in December.

England announce their provisional squad on 8 May but Owen, 26, may not be fit until Newcastle's last match of the season - against Chelsea on 7 May.

He said: "Whether it is one game or maybe two games - I would be a miracle worker if it was any more than that."

England face Hungary in a friendly on 30 May and play Jamaica in another World Cup warm-up match on 3 June so Owen is eager to turn out for Newcastle at least once before the end of the season.

He added: "I am pounding the treadmill with that in mind.

"I would love to show my face in at least one game, then look forward to next season."

However, the former Liverpool star, who moved from Real Madrid to Newcastle in August 2005, fears being out of action for over three months may put him at risk of suffering a fresh injury.

"I am confident I can play in the England friendlies against Jamaica and Hungary - as long as I do not have any more setbacks or muscular problems," he stated.

"A lot of people can have those when they are coming back from long-term injuries.

"You come back and because you are maybe protecting something subconsciously, something else goes."

Meanwhile, Owen's former Real Madrid team-mate David Beckham is optimistic that England's vice-captain will be fit for the World Cup finals in Germany.

England skipper Beckham said: "I have heard Michael say he will be on that plane and that he will be fit and, fingers crossed, he will.

"He is young, quick and athletic and when he has recovered from injuries before he has come straight back into the team and scored goals straight away."

However, Beckham believes England will have no excuses if they fail to live up to expectations at the showpiece tournament.

The 30-year-old midfielder added: "We can't keep making excuses going into competitions because with the talent we have in our country we have to go into this competition with the aim of going as far as we can.

"No excuses and no regrets. If we are not good enough we are not good enough but we know we have got the players.

"The England team will be fresher than going into previous World Cups.

"We have gone into tournaments before with players carrying injuries and others missing.

"Hopefully we can avoid that and have everyone fit. That will give us a great chance."

If he gets back in time to play a match or two for Newcastle then he'll be fine for the WC, cos Sven will be able to give him a run out in the two friendlies before the tournament starts.

If he doesn't get a game for Newcastle it is a different story though cos the squad has to be picked before those friendlies are player. That would mean taking a risk and picking Owen without knowing if he is fit enough to play.