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Michael Owen - Source: Reuters -
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You know it's come to something when a defender with one good leg can make it into the England squad, but a lad with two good legs some of the time cannot get a break (excuse the pun).
And now it seems Michael Owen's hopes of ever being involved in the England squad, as long as Fabio Capello is at the helm, have all but come to an end as the England boss told reporters that the Newcastle No.10 is part of England's murky past - not their (hopefully) bright future.
With injuries to England's forward pack (Heskey, Cole and Crouch) the natural order would be to call up one of England's most prolific strikers, whose scoring record of 40 goals in 89 games makes him fourth in the list of all-time scorers for the national side (only behind Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker and Jimmy Greaves).
But still Owen is snubbed, and perhaps even more devastating for him is the fact that Capello has opted to call up Tottenham's Darren Bent, who after four appearances for the national side has failed to score or make an impact, to start against the Ukraine in England's World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Thursday (NZT).
Capello's excuse for this:
"You have to choose the players who've played a lot of games." The Italian said.
"It's impossible to choose one player that played only 20 minutes. Why didn't he play longer in the last game? Because he was dropped."
Fitness worries
Yes. We all know that Owen's fitness isn't up to scratch, but then neither is a defender who has played just 16 games for Tottenham in the 08/09 season, and can't train between weekend games.
Making one wonder if this has more to do with just football?
Perhaps it was the fact that Owen, who pulled out of last summers' friendlies with the USA and Trinidad - citing a virus - was then spotted with his second love (horses) at Chester races, that put the nail in his international coffin, or maybe Capello just doesn't think he's worth it.
Capello insists that there is no reason for his madness, other than fitness.
"If Michael Owen will play in the future three or four games he will be with us,'' he said.
"I choose the best players who are in a very fantastic moment.''
But this doesn't add up.
In playing just 21 games for Newcastle in an injury dogged season, Owen has scored 8-goals, just one less than England's current golden boy Wayne Rooney in the same amount of appearances for Manchester United.
New recruit Bent (who is no stranger to losing his nerve in front of goal, most notably his shocking 'my missus could have scored that' miss against Portsmouth) has not faired much better.
And when it comes to the crunch if you were to ask any England fan who they would prefer coming off the bench, Bent, Defoe, Owen or even Heskey the answer will always be the same.
Never not bet on Mickey
While some may agree that the 29-year-old is not worthy of pulling on an England shirt anymore, many who have followed Owen since he burst onto the international scene as a passionate 18-year-old know that just as you would never doubt an ageing Beckham (whose stint at AC Milan has warranted a return to the side) to bend it, you would never bet against Owen scoring a goal when it's really needed.
Something backed up by former England player Peter Beardsley, who told the Telegraph: "Michael always looks like he's going to score goals when he is given those chances.
"If he gets one or two chances in a game, I'd be willing to bet that he'd score one of them."
And that is why, fitness problems and injury niggles aside, this pint-sized poacher SHOULD have a place in the England squad - even if it is on the bench, because you never know when the 'Boy Wonder' might come in handy.
Owen has been quiet since his being dropped from the England squad, perhaps a testament to how hurt he must feel at being ostracized while a currently in-form England are flourishing under Capello.
As England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard recently put it: 'Michael Owen is one of the best strikers ever to play for England.
"He has been injured for a long time and Fabio does not feel he is ready to play. But I am sure if Michael is fit, playing well and deserves to be in the team."
With just nine goals left to match Bobby Charlton's illustrious international goal scoring record maybe it is time for Owen to step-up and show Capello just what he is made of.
Do you think Owen should be included in the England squad? Have your say below....
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