Owen Survives England Defeat

By Matt Jones
May 26 2006

Michael Owen, who suffered a broken metatarsal injury against Tottenham in December and has played only 30 minutes of football for Newcastle United in 2006 for Newcastle, was pleased to come through an hour of England B's 2-1 defeat on Thursday night unscathed.

The Newcastle United striker captained the England side against Belarus at The Madejski Stadium and is now looking forward to the World Cup.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Owen said: "I felt fine, the foot felt fine.

"I thought we were quite sharp in the first half, the wide men played well going forward.

"We were quite sloppy in the second half, giving them that (first) goal gave them impetus.

"It's disappointing to lose, but there you are.

"I feel sharp. I'm pleased I played 60 minutes and it's onwards and upwards now."

Youngster Theo Walcott played 30 minutes of the match and when Owen was asked about the starlet, he added: "I haven't played alongside him yet but in training you try to get to know him, know what his strengths and weaknesses are.

"It's his first introduction into the squad and was only a 'B' game but it will have felt like a full international to him."