'favourite player-
ENGLAND's SQUAD: 11. JOE COLE (chelsea)
Some owen news to share with you guys:
Owen rules out any return before 2007
Michael Owen has said that he does not expect to play again in 2006 -- but is urging his England team-mates to bring him back a FIFA World Cup winners' medal.
Owen flew home after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in Tuesday's 2-2 Group B draw with Sweden in Cologne.
In his column in The Times newspaper, the Newcastle striker said:
"My best wishes go with the rest of the lads but I won't be playing competitive football again in 2006. "
"No one can predict exactly how long I will be out with a ruptured cruciate ligament in my right knee but it probably means at least six months. "
"When I didn't get up, my family knew it was serious and they were waiting for me by the dressing-room. My mum, wife and sister were obviously upset seeing me lie there with my knee swelling up like a balloon but I do have the ability to be quite philosophical about these things. I have been called cold in the past and, at times like this, it is a real strength. I can control my emotions and I can honestly say that when I was flat on my back with ice-packs around my knee, it wasn't self-pity I was feeling but guilt. "
"I feel really guilty when I think of the people at Newcastle United, the chairman, Freddy Shepherd, who has invested all that money, and Glenn Roeder, the manager, who has kept in touch through the tournament and been very supportive. And those great fans who have only seen me for 11 matches."
Poor owen.. but nevertheless GET WELL SOON! (=
