England Boss Snubs Owen Again But Insists Door Is Still Open

England boss Fabio Capello has once again emitted striker Michael Owen from his latest England squad set to play against Holland in Amsterdam on Wednesday. Manchester United's new signing has regularly failed to inspire Capello under his tenure as England boss following a turbulent period in his career which has been dogged by long term injury and Newcastle's disastrous relegation from the Premier League last season. Owen's record for England remains prolific - the diminutive striker bagging 40 goals in just 89 matches for his country - but he has struggled with form and fitness in recent months and has had to face up to going from being the first name on the England team sheet to battling for a place in the squad. In spite of this latest emission however, Capello still insists the door is open for Owen, and suggests that the strikers arrival at Old Trafford provides the perfect platform for the player to prove he is once again ready for international football. Capello suggested that United will offer Owen the chance of Champions League football in order to prove he is once again ready to bang in the goals at the highest level. Owen was not the only big name striker missing out of the latest England squad however, with bean pole target man Peter Crouch also missing out in favour of Rooney, Heskey, Defoe and Carlton Cole.

Man United Move in for Free Agent Owen

Latest reports in the English sporting press suggest that Manchester United now look set to complete a surprise move for former Newcastle and Liverpool striker Michael Owen. The diminutive striker's contract with The Magpies expired this summer and with the club unable to support his huge wage demands following their relegation into the English Championship, Owen left the club at the end of last season.



Several Premier League clubs have been chasing the services of the talismanic forward but it seems that the champions are to complete a shock deal that would see the talismanic foward move to Old Trafford to bolster Alec Ferguson's forward line after the loss of Christiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in the past few weeks. Owen's goal scoring record remains exemplary (including 40 goals in 89 games for England) but his ongoing injury problems have blighted his form and limited appearences in the last 2 years. However, it seems that United are ready to gamble on Owen who may see the move as a chance to get back into the plans of England coach Fabio Capello who has thus far overlooked owen during his reighn in charge of the Three Lions.

Newcastle May Seek to Sell High Earners

The latest reports in the British tabloids suggest that Newcastle United are beginning to give serious thought to instigating the necessary preparatory measures to bring their expenditure in line with their impending Championship status following their devastating relegation from English Football's top flight on Sunday. The Toon slumped to a poor 1 - 0 defeat by Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday which confirmed their relegation in spite of Hull's home defeat to English Champions Manchester United by the same scoreline. This has inevitably forced the powers that be at St James' Park to start giving sincere thought to their massive payroll of players salaries - rumoured to have accounted for around 70% of the North East clubs £100 million turnover during the 2008 - 2009 season. Clearly this is unsustainable at championship level, and in spite of stars such as Damien Duff pledging their future to the club, departures of high profile playing staff look inevitable.


One name that in particular will surely alert the attention of Premier League managers is (possibly) former England striker Michael Owen who is now out of contract, and at a reputed £100,000 pounds per week in wages looks almost certain to seek pastures new in order to reignite his international ambitions. The 29 year old has been shunned so far by England coach Fabio Capello and is desperate to get back into contention for international selection following a nightmare injury plagues spell in the North East.