McClaren: 'Owen's loss is a massive blow'

Updated 12.12 Sat Nov 17 2007

Keywords: Austria, Croatia, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Peter Crouch, Michael Owen, Steve McClaren, England, Euro 2008, football, sport

Steve McClaren has admitted that the loss of Michael Owen for England's must-win Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley is a "massive blow".

Owen picked up a thigh strain on the half-hour of England's 1-0 friendly win in Austria and is now facing a month on the sidelines.

"It's a massive blow but injuries are part of football. It's unfortunate but I do believe we need to win on Wednesday to qualify" - Michael Owen

The Newcastle United hitman joins fellow striker Wayne Rooney, captain John Terry and centre-back Rio Ferdinand in missing Wednesday's clash with Slaven Bilic's men.

McClaren said: "It's a massive blow but injuries are part of football. It's unfortunate but I do believe we need to win on Wednesday to qualify.

"We go into the match without two centre-halves and two centre-forwards but, if it comes to it, I believe there is enough spirit."

Peter Crouch scored the only goal of the game in Vienna, heading home David Beckham's 44th-minute corner, and Frank Lampard believes the Liverpool striker should be the man to fill the void left by Owen.

Lampard said: "It is a huge blow. We all know Michael's quality but if results go our way (England need Russia or Croatia to drop points on Saturday) it give us a chance to qualify.

"Crouchy has shown what he can do, and Jermain (Defoe) came on. We will have to get on with it and use the squad."