World Cup 2010 news: Michael Owen needs games, says Fabio Capello
24/02/2010
Fabio Capello has maintained that Michael Owen has no chance of making England's World Cup 2010 squad if he does not start appearing regularly for Manchester United.
The striker has proved to be prolific at international level in the past, averaging just under a goal every two games, but he has been frustrated by a lack of first-team football following his summer 2009 move to Old Trafford.
Owen has made just five Premier League starts during the 2009-10 campaign - with 14 more appearances coming from the bench - and has scored only three goals in the competition.
And Capello has told Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport that he is not prepared to bow to any pressure over whether to take Owen to World Cup 2010.
He said: "A lot of people would like to see me select Owen. He is the best English goalscorer of his generation but if he doesn't play, I cannot pick him."
Posted by Katie Leake