 Owen was injured against Arsenal on Saturday |
Injury-doubt Michael Owen was absent from England's training session on Wednesday ahead of the weekend's crunch Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey. The Liverpool striker hurt his shin in the Premiership defeat against Arsenal and is still rated at only "50-50" to make Saturday's game in Istanbul.
Aston Villa's Darius Vassell has been called into the squad as cover just in case Owen fails to beat the injury.
Rio Ferdinand has been excluded by the Football Association pending an investigation into the player's failure to attend a routine drugs test.
"It's a pity for England as a team - but it's a decision that's been taken and I have to accept it and respect it, " said England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
"I'm very sorry that we can't do it (play Ferdinand). I'm a football manager and of course I always want the best team. But on this occasion with Rio it's not possible.
"I've been told and I have to accept that."
Chelsea's John Terry is now expected to partner Arsenal's Sol Campbell at the heart of the defence.
Eriksson revealed that Owen is receiving round-the-clock attention from England doctors and masseurs.
"I'm not sure if he can play but Michael is positive, which is good.
"We have a plan and want to do anything to make him fit," said Eriksson.
England skipper David Beckham joined Michael Owen on the sidelines for England's first training session.
Beckham sustained a dead leg making his comeback from injury in Real Madrid's La Liga encounter with Espanyol.
A knock also prevented Southampton striker James Beattie from joining in with the squad at Arsenal's training ground.
England squad: James (West Ham), Robinson (Leeds), Walker (Leicester); P Neville (Man Utd), G Neville (Man Utd), A Cole (Arsenal), Bridge (Chelsea), Mills (Middlesbrough), Campbell (Arsenal), Terry (Chelsea), Upson (Birmingham); Beckham (Real Madrid), Lampard (Chelsea), J Cole (Chelsea), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Butt (Man Utd), Dyer (Newcastle), Gerrard (Liverpool), Scholes (Man Utd); Owen (Liverpool), Heskey (Liverpool), Beattie (Southampton), Rooney (Everton), Vassell (Aston Villa).
MMIX
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