Michael Owen brushes off the pressure

LONDON, May 24: As England wait nervously for the verdict on Wayne Rooney's broken foot, Michael Owen says he is ready to bear the striking burden at the World Cup.

Owen has played only once since suffering a similar injury on Dec 31 and he can expect even more responsibility if Rooney misses all or part of the tournament starting on June 9.

The 20-year-old Manchester United forward will have a scan tomorrow to assess progress since he was injured against Chelsea on April 29.

''I've always been ready,'' said Owen, scorer of 35 goals in 75 England appearances. ''It's a responsibility you don't think about.

''I go into games quite cool in my head and it doesn't matter whether I'm in training or in a World Cup final -- I know I'll do the same thing. No situation would affect how I play.

''I'm looking forward to the World Cup. It's a massive tournament and I'm sure that I and the team are going to do ourselves justice.'' Owen will get a chance to prove his sharpness tomorrow in England's 'B' international against Belarus in Reading.

''It's beneficial but if the World Cup was tomorrow I'd still feel I could play and you wouldn't notice I've been out for a while,'' he said.

''I don't think in training that I've lost a bit of my touch or anything else. I know where the goal is and I've been scoring a few and playing well.

''It's a nice game and an important one for a lot of players.

I'm not seeing it as a test or a trial or anything like that.'' Owen will start alongside Rooney's lanky understudy, Peter Crouch, and the pair are likely to be reunited in England's friendlies on May 30 against Hungary and June 3 against Jamaica.

In the squad despite an early season goal drought with Liverpool that lasted more than four months, the 6ft 7in Crouch is anxious to face Belarus at Owen's side.

''I will be doing my best and he needs his fitness,'' Crouch said during a tour of the new Wembley Stadium.

''Wayne is in the squad as well and we are all hoping he is fit. If he is not fit, then hopefully I can state my case, maybe with a couple of performances. That's the aim.'' ''Obviously there have been ups and downs in my career, probably more than most, to be honest.

''But now I'm on a big high, coming off the back of winning the FA Cup and playing for England in the World Cup.

''I've never lost belief in my ability at any stage....and the people that count believe in me.'' REUTERS