'We are ready to pounce'
Wednesday, 14 November, 2007
Michael Owen says his England team-mates must remain in a positive mood ahead of their trip to Austria.
Austria v England
International Friendly
8pm, Friday 16 November 2007
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Live on Sky Sports
Michael Owen is confident that if England beat Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday night they will qualify for Euro 2008.
The England striker admits he is trying to ignore Israel's game against Russia on Saturday, even though it will have a massive bearing on whether Steve McClaren's side can book their place in the summer tournament.
But he believes Russia could easily slip up, which means everyone in the squad has to be fully focused for next week's final qualifier against Croatia.
Owen said: "It could be a difficult week for us, but we are trying to block out certain things and make sure we are in the right frame of mind if things go our way on Saturday.
"While the game against Croatia is the important one, we also have a game on Friday in Austria and that is a game for our country and we have to prepare in the right way.
"In the bigger picture Wednesday is the bigger game and we have to believe that if we win that then we will qualify, we have to think that.
"The Austria game is a serious game and a good preparation and we have to make sure we are ready to pounce if things go our way.
"I am sure all the players will be watching the Israel game on Saturday, let’s hope that my phone bill is pretty big after the weekend if someone does us a favour."