Michael Owen fit to play against Estonia and Russia

The roller coaster ride of Steve McClaren as the coach of the England national team continues. At the end of last month, the former Middlesbrough manager was counting his options with the growing injury problems but now with just a week to go before a couple of crunch Euro 2008 qualifiers, he is once more smiling. The reason for the big smile is the announcement of Michael Owen’s return to full fitness. The Newcastle United striker has been out of action since the tail-end of September but returned with a bang against Everton when he scored the winner in the last minute in the Geordies’ 3-2 win at St. James’ park on Sunday. Owen had scored a total of three goals against Israel and Russia in Group E last month and suddenly England’s otherwise bumpy road to Austria and Switzerland appeared to get smooth. But a few days after those two massive wins at Wembley, England were crying in despair. Michael Owen is one of the only two world class strikers England have at the moment and with Wayne Rooney somewhat off-color so far this season, Owen was the big hope. But he had to undergo two successive operations, one to have his groin injury healed and the other to strengthen his stomach lining, and at the time there was no hope whatsoever that Owen could recover to play against Estonia and Russia in October. Michael Owen’s returned from the sidelines has been hugely welcomed by the beleaguered and press-battered Steve McClaren who still remains an unpopular England head coach. His woes stretch on though. Owen’s comeback has been coupled with the disturbing news that Everton’s striker Andy Johnson, who also scored in Sunday’s match between Newcastle and Everton, would miss both the international matches for England to undergo an ankle surgery. West Ham United’s Dean Ashton too could join him on the sidelines after suffering a knock at the weekend. However McClaren would be pleased with Owen’s return to full fitness. Owen’s presence in the team is an inspiration in itself and with Wayne Rooney to partner the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker, England might just get through the matches with 6 vital points. Image Source: Posternet Source: BBC