Owen has started only one match since his arrival in Madrid

Owen has started only one game since his �8m summer move from Liverpool and faces competition from Ronaldo, Raul and Fernando Morientes.

"I would be worried if this continued throughout the season," he said.

"If that happened then obviously I'd have to ask questions about myself. I don't want to carry on not playing. I hope we don't cross that bridge."

Owen also admitted the transition from automatic choice for Liverpool to bit-part player in Madrid had been difficult.

"At Liverpool I was first choice every week. What Raul is to the Real Madrid supporters I was in a way to the Liverpool supporters," he said.

It can be difficult not to play and then be called upon for 10 minutes Michael Owen

"I was an important player. The big difference is that I'm not playing as much in Madrid."

Real have no reserve team which means Owen has had to make do with brief substitute appearances for the first team.

"It can be difficult not to play and then be called upon for 10 minutes or so," he said.

"Much as you do probably train harder when you're not playing, there's nothing like match fitness or playing games."

However, the 24-year-old is hopeful he will keep his place in the England team.

Jermain Defoe's impressive full England debut against Poland and Wayne Rooney's return to fitness has increased competition for places in attack.

Owen said: "There are always players doing well and competing for places.

"Obviously I have not played as much as I would have liked over the last few weeks but I hope that when I go back to England it will be OK."

England face Wales in a World Cup qualifier on 9 October and then meet Azerbaijan on 13 October in another Group Six encounter.