Rate it!

0 votes

The Manchester United man is doubtful for Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel, but the England boss said a scan showed there was no serious damage.

"Owen's thigh felt tight at the start of training yesterday so he sat out the rest of the session," McClaren.

"As a precaution he was sent for a scan. The scan revealed a small problem but we are hoping it will clear. He is definitely not ruled out."

McClaren is struggling to field a strong midfield line-up after David Beckham and Frank Lampard were both ruled out through injury to add to the long-term absence of Aaron Lennon. Steven Gerrard's inclusion in the starting XI is also set to be controversial after McLaren admitted that he may use pain-killing injections to help the Liverpool captain play.

Hagreaves, meanwhile, responded angrily to Israel wing-back Idan Tal's claims that "thick, long-ball merchants" England play unattractive, rudimentary football.

"I don't know who he is or what he meant by it but it is obviously a poor comment," Hargreaves said of the former Everton and Bolton man. "Obviously, when you are at the top, people sometimes want to say things and try to bring you down by making headlines or provoking a reaction.

"It doesn't really bother me. If you look at our team and theirs, I know which one I would prefer to watch and which one I would prefer to have.

"We have some of the best players in the world in our squad and we are very confident of winning on Saturday."

England lie fourth in Group E and have to win their next two matches, against Israel and Russia, if they are to have a chance of qualifying for Euro 2008.

Reda Maher / Eurosport