Well, Owen is out. This is a huge blow to England's chances.
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060621/1/7zf7.html
Owen ruled out of tournament
21 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
Michael Owen received the news the whole of England was fearing, if expecting, when it was confirmed on Wednesday that he would miss the remainder of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™.
The England striker was stretchered off after twisting his knee awkwardly just 74 seconds into Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side’s 2-2 draw with Sweden in Cologne, and his club, Newcastle United have revealed that he has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
This could well mean a period of at least five months in rehabilitation for a player who only recently returned to action from a broken foot that had sidelined him since 31 December.
Owen, who has flown home to England, said: "Obviously it's a massive blow to suffer the injury – and to be out of the World Cup. As soon as it happened I knew I was in trouble. It was a major disappointment to pick up the injury so early in the game.
"I'll go back home now and work with the Newcastle medical staff to put a recovery programme in place. I'm clearly sorry to be leaving the lads in Germany, but I'm convinced they can go on and achieve success.
"I'll be following all the matches very closely and giving them my full support, hopefully all the way to Berlin. My main objective is now to get fit as quickly as possible for Newcastle United."
The thoughts of England fans will be dominated by sadness for Owen, but there will also be the realisation that the 26-year-old’s injury leaves a gaping void in their side’s attacking armoury, particularly as Wayne Rooney is still evidently short of match-fitness and only the untried teenager Theo Walcott can be considered a genuine like-for-like replacement for the Newcastle striker.
Eriksson, however, opted to leave that particular dilemma for another day and focus on sympathising with a player who has long been his first-choice striker.
"Michael has had terrible luck with injuries since Christmas," said the England coach. "I feel very sorry for him to miss out on the rest of the World Cup - it's blow to him and a big loss for the team.
"However, I am sure Michael will work very hard to get back as quickly as possible for Newcastle and England. He is a true professional and a very mentally strong person. I hope the team can now go on and achieve success in Germany for Michael."