42 percent of British footie fans want Owen on plane to South Africa

London, Oct.16 (ANI): Manchester United striker Michael Owen still has his bevy of supporters, although their numbers are dwindling given his current form.

Only 42 per cent of the fans surveyed want Owen on the plane going to South Africa for the World Cup next year, reports The Sun.race Clark, of Berkshire, said: "Michael's over the hill. We need the freshness of Jermain Defoe and Theo Walcott."

Danielle Binnie, from Harpenden, quipped: "He runs slower than my grandma."

Emile Hesky is the fans' favourite to partner Wayne Rooney up front - even though he has scored only seven goals in 56 appearances.he Aston Villa man polled 32.3 per cent of the vote with Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe behind with 24.6 each.

Next up was Carlton Cole (6.15) with Michael Owen weighing in at 4.6 and Steven Gerrard and Gabby Agbonlahor at 3.

Interestingly, there was no support for Sunderland's Darren Bent.

The race is on between David James and Robert Green for the No 1 jersey. (ANI)