4 April 2006
VIDEO: Michael Owen interview

England's predatory striker gives TheFA.com an injury update and looks ahead to this summer's World Cup

Michael Owen believes he is on course to play in the World Cup for England this summer - and says he would not swap Sven’s squad for any other at the tournament.

Owen is confident he will make his comeback for Newcastle before the end of the season after having an operation last week to speed up the healing of the metatarsal bone he broke in December.

But after speaking to Sven before having the second operation, he has been assured he should be fit and firing for the Three Lions’ World Cup campaign in Germany.

Owen said: "I phoned Sven to let him know the surgeon was putting in another type of screw so that the last quarter of the fracture would heal quickly and give me the best chance of being fit for the end of the season and the World Cup.

"I had a little setback but it was not back to square one. It's progressing well. I will have the stitches out on Thursday and after that I should be pressing on to see how quickly I can get fit.

"I would love to play for Newcastle by the end of the season and get some games under my belt by the time I go to the World Cup."

And Owen thinks the England squad's spirits are as high as ever as they head to Germany this summer as one of the favourites for the World Cup.

He added: "I have been to a couple of European Championships and World Cups and they are great tournaments to play in. We have got a very good team.

"Apart from Ashley Cole and myself, who have small problems, we have no long-term injuries. The next few weeks are worrying for the manager hoping no-one picks up injuries. It's important for us to have everyone fit.

"So no-one is really out and we need to keep it that way. We need everyone fit right through the tournament.

"There are so many good teams now, not just the major countries like England, Brazil, Argentina, Holland, Italy, Germany and France. Look at how Greece won the European Championships.

"But we are certainly happy with our squad. The spirit has always been good especially over the last few years because a lot of us have grown up together and we were in the World Cup in Japan. And then Wayne Rooney came along in Portugal two years ago.

"There's only one or two such as Gary Neville and David Beckham in their thirties, but nobody is too old and we have a great mixture. I wouldn’t swap this squad for any other."

And Owen does not believe the uncertainty surrounding Sven Goran Eriksson's successor will affect England's chances this summer.

"Plenty of coaches will be leaving their countries after the tournament, so it is nothing different. I don't think it will have an effect on us and it will be interesting to see who is appointed.

"The manager's had five years, this will be his third major tournament. If we win it, I'm sure the manager will say 'thanks very much' and do something else.

"I suppose I prefer the new manager to be English rather than not, but the main thing is to get the best man for the job."

Stay logged on to TheFA.com for all the build-up to Germany 2006.