England call for Owen and veteran Pearce

Liverpool star Michael Owen has been named in the new England squad but has not played for his club since last April.

Owen came through a practice match on Tuesday afternoon and is a likely substitute for Liverpool at home to Arsenal on Saturday. National team coach Kevin Keegan is satisfied that the 19 year old will be fit for the home game against Luxembourg on September 4th and the crucial trip to Poland four days later.

Ex England captain Stuart Pearce has been recalled to the squad two years after the 37 year old last played. Chelsea striker Chris Sutton is also brought back after his row with former coach Glenn Hoddle in which he refused to play in a ‘B’ international before the last World Cup.

Keegan’s options have been restricted by injuries but he has also recalled centre back Tony Adams after one reserve game in a bid to field an experienced back line with Adams partnering Martin Keown and Sol Campbell.

Campbell has been suffering with calf problems but Keegan seems certain to pick the player. Midfielder Steve McManaman has been in good form for Real Madrid and is likely to start in one of the last two Euro 2000 matches.

Keegan will again make Newcastle striker Alan Shearer his captain after the striker’s club coach Ruud Gullit claimed his side were better off without Shearer after making him a substitute for last night’s defeat against Sunderland.

England are currently third in their Euro 2000 group and must win in Poland and against Luxembourg to ensure a play-off place in November.

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Seaman, Martyn, Walker.

Defenders: Adams, Keown, Ferdinand, Southgate, Campbell, G Neville, Woodgate, P Neville.

Midfielders: Dyer, Anderton, Parlour, Redknapp, Sherwood, Beckham, Butt, Batty, Scholes, McManaman.

Strikers: Sutton, Owen, Shearer, Fowler, Sheringham, Phillips.