England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

McClaren upbeat on duo

01 Oct 2007 - 08:58:08

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England boss Steve McClaren remains hopeful that both John Terry and Michael Owen will have recovered from injury in time to feature in the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia later this month.

Terry sustained a fractured cheekbone in Chelsea'a goalless draw with Fulham on Saturday while Owen has undergone surgery after suffering from a troublesome hernia.

The Newcastle striker was quoted at the weekend as saying he was unlikely to be fit for the double-header, but Terry may even feature in Chelsea's midweek Champions League encounter in Valencia.

"Nobody can be ruled out at this stage," said McClaren. "We've still got two weeks before the Estonia game and I know both John and Michael are desperate to play for England.

"Everybody knows what John Terry is like. He'd die for England. That's the kind of character we need.

"I've spoken to John and also to Michael. We've got to see what reactions they have but they know how important these games are. I'm hopeful they'll be there."

England face Estonia at Wembley on October 13, before travelling to Moscow four days later to meet Guus Hiddink's side.