Ruthless Capello drops striker Owen from England squad

Michael Owen top-scored in England's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

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Sunday, 31, Aug 2008 09:08

Michael Owen has been axed from the England squad for next week's World Cup qualifiers.

Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard receives his first call-up because of the injuries to Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves, and Michael Carrick.

Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch and Tottenham Hotspur defender Jonathan Woodgate both miss out, while Robert Green has been called into the squad for the away game to Andorra on Saturday and the clash with Croatia in Zagreb four days later.

But it is the omission of Owen, who has 40 goals in 89 caps, that will spark the biggest debate.

The Newcastle United striker has scored twice this season and was watched by England boss Fabio Capello in yesterday’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal.

Owen played the full 90 minutes but looked below-par at the Emirates, spurning an easy chance from close range in the first half.

Capello has instead gone for Theo Walcott, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney, and Jermain Defoe as his four strikers.

England will travel to Barcelona to play Andorra on Saturday night before playing Croatia, who beat them twice in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign that led to Steve McClaren’s men failing to make the tournament.

England’s 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Blackburn), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Joleon Lescott (Everton), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Matthew Upson (West Ham).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jimmy Bullard (Fulham), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), David Bentley (Tottenham), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham).

Forwards: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Wigan).