England News

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Owen targets England return

01 May 2007 - 08:12:26

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Newcastle United striker Michael Owen has set his sights on an England recall after making his first appearance in ten months.

Owen played a full 90 minutes in the Magpies' 1-0 Premiership defeat at Reading on Monday evening - his only taste of first-team action since damaging his anterior cruciate ligament during England's ill-fated World Cup campaign last June.

The 27-year-old was making his first start for Newcastle since New Year's Eve 2005 when he suffered a broken metatarsal against Birmingham and admitted he felt stronger than ever.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid hitman is also hoping he can prove to England coach Steve McClaren that he deserves an international call-up for the friendly with Brazil at Wembley on June 1.

Five days later, McClaren's side travel to Estonia for a must-win Euro 2008 qualifier.

"You'll have to ask Steve McClaren. I'm hopefully going to be playing in the last two games (of the season) for Newcastle and then it's down to whether Steve McClaren picks me," Owen told Sky Sports News.

"And if I'm fit and playing for Newcastle, obviously I'd jump at the chance to play for my country. It's a fantastic honour."

Owen found the net after just seven minutes at the Madejski Stadium only for the effort to be ruled out for offside, but shrugged off the disappointment by revealing his confidence in the rebuilt knee.

"When you have an injury like this you get to start again with a clean sheet of paper," he continued.

"We've built up everything, I weigh a stone heavier as well now than when I got injured and none of it is fat I can assure you.

"I felt a massive difference from when I last played. I feel as though I can use my body and be strong and I won a lot of headers. I felt a different type of player. I felt really well."