Tuesday 20 June 2006
World Cup Group B
RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
8.00pm kick off (London Time)
Live on ITV

Michael Owen has reassured England fans he is feeling fit and ready to hit the goal trail as the World Cup campaign hots up.

Owen has been substituted in England’s opening two matches and is still waiting for his first strike of the tournament.

But the Newcastle man, who has scored 36 times for his country, is backing himself to get on the score sheet soon, especially as he missed a lot of the season through injury and is only now getting back to his very best.

He said: "I am fine and I am feeling fine. I'm not firing on all cylinders but it would be unfair to say it is only me. I am relatively pleased with my performances, I am not giving the ball away and I think I am playing well.

"I just don't think the team as whole is creating too many chances or playing with as much confidence as we would like at this present moment. But we are winning games and that's what matters.

"I think it will come. Hopefully the better the opposition, the more they will come at us and the more we will be able to open up."

Owen looked sharp on the pitch against Trinidad, even if he didn’t quite set the game alight before being subbed for Wayne Rooney after 58 minutes.

But with his record at international level you write him off at your peril.

"I am feeling 100 per cent," he insisted. "I am not feeling any injury. I am feeling sharp, feeling great in training and relatively pleased with how things are going. I missed one good chance against Trinidad, which I will kick myself about.

"But I'll keep being on the end of through balls and crosses. My aim is to score goals and I’m not worried about that. I’ve done it since I was born."