Clemence sure Owen will win back England place

Published on Monday 6 October 2008 21:44

ENGLAND coach Ray Clemence is convinced Michael Owen can revive his England career.

The Newcastle United forward was left out of Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Owen, 28, missed last month's wins over Andorra and Croatia following injury and illness but has played in all of Newcastle's six games since then and has five goals so far this season.

Capello chose to recall Peter Crouch rather than Owen, but goalkeeping coach Clemence believes Owen, who has 40 goals in his England career, will be back at some point. "Michael has great belief in his own ability and quite rightly," said Clemence. "His record speaks for himself. He has got to continue to play and continue to score goals and I'm sure an opportunity will come his way again.

"He has proven he can score goals at the very top level, in World Cups and European Championships. So if he is playing to the best of his ability I'm sure Fabio will consider him. The four strikers who are there at the moment are all scoring goals and therefore they are there on merit."

Former England goalkeeper Clemence is convinced Newcastle's problems both on and off the field have hindered Owen's cause.

He said: "Newcastle need somebody to steady the ship. Joe Kinnear I'm sure will do a good job in the time that he is there but they need somebody long term so the players and the fans know where the club is going.

"Until that happens it is difficult for the team to perform consistently week-in, week-out on the pitch.

"Michael has a strong belief in his own ability but you can only finish the chances that are created for you."