Gerrard backs Owen return

Steven Gerrard believes former Liverpool team-mate and close friend Michael Owen still has a future with England.

Owen has again been overlooked by Fabio Capello for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Andorra raising further doubts about his England ambitions.

The Newcastle striker has missed all of England's World Cup qualifying campaign after an injury-hit spell on Tyneside, but Gerrard has backed Owen to win his place back in Capello's plans.

"I'm a big fan of Michael Owen, a good friend of his," said Gerrard. "I'd love to see him get a move from Newcastle to a big club and get his England career back on track.

"I do believe he can play for England again. He has suffered a lot with injuries for the past couple of years but I believe a fit Michael Owen has got the ability to be involved in the squad.
"I'm sure he will be desperate to get back playing football again, staying fit and scoring goals. That is what he loves doing."

Target

Meanwhile, Gerrard believes England need to match Spain if they are to have any chance of winning the World Cup next summer.

Gerrard has installed Euro 2008 winners Spain as favourites for the 2010 World Cup, but the Liverpool midfielder has been encouraged by the progress made by England under Capello.

Gerrard said: "How far are England off the likes of Spain? It is difficult to say how far but it is certainly clear Spain are the benchmark for this team.

"Spain have got to be massive favourites for South Africa, the way they have been playing of late, and how well they played against us.

"I think it was a good thing we played them to get an idea of how good they are so we know how much we need to improve from now to South Africa."

Winning mentality

Gerrard added: "I think that winning mentality has transferred itself to the team - but let's not get carried away."There is still a long way to go, a lot of improvement for this team to do before we can win a World Cup.

"But I'm certainly confident we can go better than what we have produced before. I think we are progressing well, getting stronger, becoming more of a team.

"We've been guilty of playing like individuals in the past but I think the manager is focusing a lot on the team.
"We've got the right mentality at the moment and we need to keep winning because it breeds confidence."


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