Steven Gerrard has admitted England are missing long-term injury victim Michael Owen and is keen to see the Newcastle striker return to the international fold.
Owen has been sidelined since severely damaging his anterior cruciate ligament during the opening minutes of the World Cup group match with Sweden last June.
His proven striking prowess for his country has been badly missed this season and England had managed only one goal in five games before the 3-0 win over minnows Andorra in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Barcelona.
But Owen is only a week or so away from returning to full training with Newcastle and reports suggest he could play some part in the home Barclays Premiership clash with Chelsea on April 22.
If Owen proves his fitness, he could come into contention for the away qualifier with Estonia on June 6.
The Magpies will be mindful of rushing Owen back, particularly to play for England as it was the injury on international duty which has deprived them of his services for nine months.
But the inability to replace the 27-year-old's finishing power will mean Steve McClaren would welcome Owen's availability at the earliest opportunity particularly as Wayne Rooney is suspended for the Estonia game.
Gerrard, whose two goals helped England to finally dispose of Andorra, said: "We are missing Michael at the moment. It will be great when he is back.
"Michael is a fantastic goalscorer and he has got a great record at this level. Any team that has got Michael Owen fit and ready, is going to be stronger.
"His record for England over many years has been fantastic and how many times has he come up with the crucial goal?
"We have missed him, of course we have."
Gerrard is still confident England will qualify for the 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland and four of their last five games are at the new Wembley.
He said: "I am sure the table will look a lot healthier in the summer. Then next season we've got to play Russia twice. There is still a lot more football to be played.
"We know we've got to look at the bigger picture and we are confident we can be in the 2008 tournament.
"These games with England are massive and, because we haven't had good results recently before Wednesday, there is a bit more added pressure and a bit more fear of losing.
"But it is up to us to stand up and be counted and we are optimistic of coming through the group successfully."
His proven striking prowess for his country has been badly missed this season and England had managed only one goal in five games before the 3-0 win over minnows Andorra in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Barcelona.
But Owen is only a week or so away from returning to full training with Newcastle and reports suggest he could play some part in the home Barclays Premiership clash with Chelsea on April 22.
If Owen proves his fitness, he could come into contention for the away qualifier with Estonia on June 6.
The Magpies will be mindful of rushing Owen back, particularly to play for England as it was the injury on international duty which has deprived them of his services for nine months.
But the inability to replace the 27-year-old's finishing power will mean Steve McClaren would welcome Owen's availability at the earliest opportunity particularly as Wayne Rooney is suspended for the Estonia game.
Gerrard, whose two goals helped England to finally dispose of Andorra, said: "We are missing Michael at the moment. It will be great when he is back.
"Michael is a fantastic goalscorer and he has got a great record at this level. Any team that has got Michael Owen fit and ready, is going to be stronger.
"His record for England over many years has been fantastic and how many times has he come up with the crucial goal?
"We have missed him, of course we have."
Gerrard is still confident England will qualify for the 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland and four of their last five games are at the new Wembley.
He said: "I am sure the table will look a lot healthier in the summer. Then next season we've got to play Russia twice. There is still a lot more football to be played.
"We know we've got to look at the bigger picture and we are confident we can be in the 2008 tournament.
"These games with England are massive and, because we haven't had good results recently before Wednesday, there is a bit more added pressure and a bit more fear of losing.
"But it is up to us to stand up and be counted and we are optimistic of coming through the group successfully."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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