Hargreaves has earned plaudits from Bayern manager Otmar Hitzfeld and German football icon Franz Beckenbauer for his midfield performance.

Questions were raised about his international allegiance as he was born in Canada, while his father is English and his mother Welsh.

But the 20-year-old has played three friendly England Under-21 internationals and has vowed to pursue a place in Sven Goran Eriksson's full squad.

"I enjoyed growing up in Canada but my father was English and my mother was Welsh," said Hargreaves.

"So, I had contacts to all three countries because all my mum's side still live in Wales and my father's side live in England.

"They would all like me to represent those countries but when it came down to it England was the choice."

The two-footed Hargreaves could solve England's problem of a lack of natural left-sided players.

But he is unlikely to figure in the immediate future.

Hargreaves added: "I may need an operation on my left ankle.

"Bayern are keeping me going with injections until the end of the season then they want to get me to surgery."

Owen has to play at least half of a competitive tournament match for England before being ineligible to play for Canada and Wales.

England U-21 coach Howard Wilkinson said: "We have a game in Greece coming up and, obviously I can't announce the squad but when I do, he is very much in my thoughts.

"We are aware of Owen. He is a fine player."