[Joe]

Michael Owen will play at a different level when the competitive matches start, predicts England manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

The Newcastle striker has struggled with injuries all this year, has not looked anywhere near his peak and as fans of Newcastle will tell you, Owen needs games to regain his sharpness and eye for goal.

Eriksson believes that Owen will be raring to go and more importantly have another match under his belt before England kick off against Paraguay on June 10th.

Sven said, "I'm not worried about Michael Owen. I've known him for more than five years.

"It's very important for Michael to have the game he had last week, this one against Hungary and the game he will play on Saturday.

"When it comes to the World Cup the music is different for Michael Owen. It has always been like that.

"He doesn't go into hard tackles at the moment, and I agree with him about that, but he will when it's the World Cup.

"The real games are coming, then so these games are very important for him."

[God]

Originally Posted by Nakkers

Michael Owen will play at a different level when the competitive matches start, predicts England manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

Geordies all back Owen as well. We'll need him fighting fit and sharp for the start of next season as we have lost The Almighty One from up front.

With Owen when he's hot he's dynamite. When he's not he can become anonymous in some games.

[Joe]

I think he has been feeling his way back to regain fitness. He was never going to bust a gut and possibly injure himself before the world cup.