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Steve McClaren Sweating On Fitness Of Hargreaves – England Need Michael Owen Fit As Rooney Suspended, Johnson Out

Submitted by Niraj Prabhu on Fri, 25/05/2007 - 15:40.

England manager Steve McClaren is sweating on the fitness of Owen Hargreaves and hopes striker Michael Owen emerges from England B international against Albania today, unscathed.

The Three Lions boss will name the squad to face Brazil in a friendly on June 1 at the new Wembley and Estonia in the Euro 2008 qualifier away on June 6, on Saturday.

Hargreaves, who is in the process of switching from Bayern Munich to Manchester United, has been receiving treatment on his knee.

McClaren said: "Owen has been injured for quite a few weeks. This week he has been working with his physio in Germany on his knee and we are hoping to have him fit for selection when I pick the squad on Saturday morning."

Michael Owen, who returned for Newcastle following the serious knee injury at the World Cup last summer at the end of April, is making a comeback to international action at Turf Moor today.

McClaren would want him to be fit for the Estonia trip more so that United’s Wayne Rooney is suspended while Everton’s Andy Johnson has undergone an ankle surgery.

Regarding the speculations over selection, the former Middlesbrough boss said: "There is a lot of speculation about the squad. It is named on Saturday and everyone will know then who is included.

"I've got to check on the Liverpool players, make sure the Manchester United and Chelsea players are available, and put everything together and name a squad on Saturday. You will be looking forward to that, I am sure!"