Source: Telegraph
Fabio Capello: regular action is key if Michael Owen hopes to make World Cup squad
Owen's treble against Wolfsburg led to suggestions he could force his way onto the plane to World Cup 2010 in South Africa next year but he has only made substitute appearances against Aston Villa and Wolves since. [LNB]Capello, speaking at the unveiling of The Hive, Barnet's new training facilities, said: ''I saw the last game he played, on television, and he scored three goals in the Champions League but the next game he did not play. [LNB] Related ArticlesOwen lets goals state World Cup caseMichael OwenMichael Owen in picturesPM makes £300m pledge on 2018Capello and EnglandWorld Cup ticket applications pass 500,000''For this reason, I ask myself why? Why (Wayne) Rooney plays always and Owen not? He is one of the important England players.'' [LNB]Owen has been in provisional squads recently and where he ranks come the end of the season will depend on injuries to other players. [LNB]At the moment Capello has 30 players in mind to compete for the 23 available places in the final World Cup squad. [LNB]''The players I choose will be fit and will play a lot of games,'' the Italian said. ''In my mind I have 30 players because, I hope not, but if someone is not fit or injured, I have to decide the 23 players at the last moment. [LNB]''I follow all the players and check every moment what happens and when we decide, the players that will come with me to South Africa will be fit. [LNB]''I am checking the general situation in every game, if they improve or don't improve, or some young players who play one or two games. [LNB]''(James) Milner at the moment has changed position, from the wing and now (is playing) like a (central) midfielder. (Wes) Brown played right-back last season and this year he has been centre-back.'' [LNB]England will be staying in Rustenburg, after Capello's fears over the state of the training pitches were eased. [LNB]''The facilities are okay, there were some problems with the pitches but I spoke to people there and they will be okay for June when we are in South Africa,'' he said. [LNB]''We found Rustenburg was the best place for us. It is quiet, good for security, is close to the stadium where we play the first game - everything is okay.'' [LNB]Before that, Capello wants to play Egypt at Wembley on March 3, then arrange a friendly with Mexico. [LNB]He added: ''We have to decide. We are speaking with these countries but have not decided yet. I think we will play March 3 at Wembley, against Egypt, then we have to find the date to play against Mexico. [LNB]''There are some problems, I don't know if we will play Sunday or Monday. All the friendly games we played were against European teams and we know the style of these teams. [LNB]''We have to play against South Americans and African teams with a different style.'' [LNB]
