Owen receives McClaren England call

Steve McClaren believes Michael Owen will be fully fit to lead England's attack in their Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.

The Newcastle United hitman, who only underwent stomach surgery last week, is back in training and could make a shock return against Everton at St James' Park in the Premier League on Sunday.

McClaren, who will only play Owen if he is fit enough, said: "Two or three weeks ago it was an impossibility really but he had the operation, he has come through it well and has been training one-to-one with the physio this week.

"He says he is flying, feeling very very good. Newcastle will assess him and hopefully he'll play on Sunday. If not, he'll join up with us on Tuesday. If Michael Owen is fit, Michael Owen will play."

Captain John Terry is also included after playing in a protective mask for Chelsea in Valencia on Wednesday night, 72 hours after undergoing surgery on the fractured cheekbone he suffered last weekend.

McClaren has handed fit-again West Ham United hitman Dean Ashton his first call-up since he broke his ankle in training with the national side on his first full call-up 14 months ago.

Frank Lampard has been included despite being sidelined since the end of August with a thigh injury but there is no place for David Beckham, who is still recovering from a knee injury.

McClaren is without a number of players including Manchester United midfield duo Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves, who picked up injuries this week.

And the England boss, who is without Emile Heskey, will be hoping his men do not pick up any injuries when they turn out for their clubs in the Premier League this weekend.

England, who are three points behind Group E leaders Croatia in the race to qualify for next summer's European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland, entertain Estonia at Wembley on October 13 before taking on Russia on a plastic pitch in Moscow four days later.

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