FACTFILE Born: 14/12/79 Position: Striker Club: Liverpool Caps: 55 Goals: 25

Still only 24, Owen is England's first-choice striker and feared by defenders around the world.

Against Slovakia he became the youngest player ever to make 50 England appearances, and marked it with two goals to take him past the likes of Kevin Keegan and Mick Channon in the goalscoring standings.

He has not been at his prolific best for Liverpool this season but has been plagued by shin, ankle and thigh problems.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, though, remains a big admirer of the player - always his first-choice striker whenever fit.