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Fergie backs Owen for England recall
International Football, 11:24, October 17, 2009 ,
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Michael Owen still has a great chance of making the England squad for the World Cup.
The 29-year-old moved to Old Trafford in the summer in a bid to earn a recall to the England side, but has yet to catch the eye of Three Lions boss Fabio Capello.
Despite having not featured for England for 18 months, Ferguson believes the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker can still secure a place on the plane to South Africa.
"There may be two or three places up for grabs," said Ferguson. "Fabio maybe will have a number up to 25 in his mind. He will then have to eliminate from that to make 23.
"Michael Owen has a good chance because he is a striker and England don't have a tremendous number of them."
Fergie went on to say he expects Owen to have to battle it out with Peter Crouch, Carlton Cole and Wayne Rooney for a place in the England squad, overlooking the likes of Emile Heskey, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Jermain Defoe who have all featured in England's World Cup qualifying campaign.
"The form of Carlton Cole will have encouraged him and Peter Crouch's goals don't do him any harm," he added. "Along with Wayne Rooney I think those three will go to South Africa, then it is a fight for one more."