Beckham and Owen were not fit at World Cup

England stars Michael Owen and David Beckham were struggling with injuries during the World Cup finals.

Friday’s quarter final defeat by World Cup favourites Brazil sent England out of the tournament with Owen telling today’s ‘News of the World’ that he was having treatment 11 hours a day in the run up to the final match.

Owen was undergoing lengthy treatment for a groin injury and did score in the first half against the South American side.

"I could run but I couldn't go flat out. My big regret is that I wasn't able to go into this massive game in peak condition. If you take away the explosive side of my game and I can't do things at full pace then it does affect me.

"I know that when I am 100% fit I can play well, but it's a nightmare for me in these circumstances."

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson confirmed yesterday that captain Beckham was struggling with the long term effects of a broken foot injury which ended his club season with Manchester United five weeks early.

"Beckham can play better than he did in this tournament but, considering he has been away for eight weeks, you cannot expect him to be 100% fit.

"My players were starting with very, very tired legs. All except Owen Hargreaves, who is the only one not in the Premiership. He plays less games for Bayern Munich than the others do for their Premiership clubs and in Germany they have a winter break.

"There are too many games in the Premiership. There are too many clubs but there seems no point trying to change it. But to have a winter break would be very important. I would love to see that done. Every player in the squad would benefit."

Any winter break would mean clubs possible sacrificing lucrative Christmas and New Year fixtures and the start of the FA Cup in January. Television contracts mean any winter break is at least two years away if clubs can agree to such a change.