Owen and Walcott limber up for England

LONDON, May 24: Michael Owen will lead England's attack in probably their most eagerly-awaited 'B' international when they face Belarus tomorrow Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will be testing both fitness and tactics in Reading, west of London, less than three weeks before what has been billed as England's best chance to win the World Cup since their 1966 triumph.

His main priority is to give Owen match practice, given that the Newcastle United striker has played only once since breaking a bone in his foot on Dec. 31.

Owen should also play in two 'A' friendlies at Old Trafford on May 30 against Hungary and on June 3 against Jamaica as he builds up his sharpness for the finals.

Tomorrow will also give Eriksson a chance to pair him with the towering Peter Crouch, his striker partner in the absence of injured Wayne Rooney.

Eriksson hopes Rooney will recover from a broken foot in time to play some part in Germany. He will know more after the Manchester United forward has a scan on Thursday.

For the time being, though, the more Owen and Crouch play together, the better.

Their 'little and large' partnership has already shown some promise, helping Owen to score against Colombia in the US last May and in a friendly with Argentina last November.

WALCOTT'S MOMENT More tantalising will be a first glimpse of Theo Walcott, whose call-up to the World Cup squad was a huge suprise to everyone -- including the 17-year-old Arsenal forward.

Walcott has yet to play for the Champions League finalists since being signed in January but Eriksson has indicated he will use him in the second half, probably instead of Crouch.

The biggest changes are due in midfield, where three of the four players are likely to come from Tottenham Hotspur -- right winger Aaron Lennon, holding midfielder Michael Carrick and Jermaine Jenas.

Lennon and Middlesbrough left winger Stewart Downing are sure to start. Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves is an option in the middle, though he may well fill in at right back.

Regulars Frank Lampard, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard have the night off, along with defenders John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville plus keeper Paul Robinson.

Arsenal pair Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole should start at the back in a makeshift defence that will face their Highbury club mate Alexander Hleb.

Introduced by England in 1949, 'B' internationals give younger players a chance but do not confer full caps.

Tomorrow's match should give Eriksson food for thought before the finals start for England in Group B on June 10 against Paraguay.

They also face Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden.

REUTERS