Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Owen fears England axe

11 Mar 2008 - 08:03:02

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Struggling Newcastle United striker Michael Owen fears that he will not be selected by Fabio Capello for England's friendly international against France on March 26.

The 28-year-old former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward has scored only four Premier League goals this term and the ailing Magpies have slumped towards the relegation zone after enduring a 12-match winless run.

Owen admitted: "When you're down it's hard to be listened to.

"Results aren't going well and, when you're not playing well as a team and individually, then individuals will not get picked for the national team.

"The new manager has only had one game in charge and that was a friendly, so we'll see what develops.

"We're expected to get points and we need to pick them up now.

"There are certain clubs that criticism attracts. People see the support we get and if we aren't up there in the prominent positions then people ask why.

"But I'm at a club where you feel like a spark will get us back on the crest of the wave and help us move up the league - that can give us a platform to build on."