The fitness of Michael Owen is proving to be a worry for England supporters ahead of the World Cup.
Four years ago a similar injury to David Beckham prompted identical fears.
BBC Sport looks at the similarities and contrasts between the two situations.
WHEN THE INJURIES HAPPENED
David Beckham broke the second metatarsal bone in his left foot on 9 April 2002 - 54 days before England's opening World Cup fixture against Sweden on 2 June in Saitama, Japan.
Beckham sustained the break in a tackle with Deportivo La Coruna's Pedro Duscher while playing for Manchester United in a Champions League tie.
 Beckham was injured playing for Manchester United |
Michael Owen's injury was the result of a challenge with Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson in a Premiership match at White Hart Lane on 31 December 2005.
Owen injured the fifth metatarsal of his right foot and the break came 161 days before England play Paraguay in Frankfurt on 9 June.
WHAT THEY WERE SAYING
England went into a frenzy when it became clear that the incredibly popular Beckham might miss the World Cup. After all, he had been an inspirational figure in qualifying.
Beckham's father, Ted, revealed that the midfielder was "devastated", while England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said that he was "willing to take a chance".
The initial reports suggested Beckham would be out for at least six weeks - meaning he might be available for the latter stages of the tournament.
 Owen was injured in a challenge with England colleague Paul Robinson |
Beckham's injury was headline news and every football pundit had his say. Mark Lawrenson said that Beckham deserved to "be given as long as possible" to recover.
Michael Owen's injury was bad news for Newcastle boss Graeme Souness, who described it as a "mighty blow".
But with an initial prognosis of eight-to-10 weeks before Owen would play again there was nothing like the hysteria that followed Beckham's injury.
Owen himself said on 1 January: "I have no doubts I will be fit for the World Cup - from what the experts are telling me."
THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
Few people had heard of the metatarsal bone before Beckham broke his - then everyone was at it.
Best mate Gary Neville broke his shortly afterwards and missed the whole World Cup. Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard among others have also broken one of theirs.
By 13 April 2002 reports surfaced that Beckham could be back within 36 days. A few days later Beckham revealed that he had been using an oxygen tank at home to accelerate the healing process.
Owen had an operation in Manchester to insert a metal pin in his broken foot on 3 January.
The striker said afterwards: "I don't need any miracles to be playing again this season."
Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder revealed on 21 March that Owen could be back in "three weeks" and suggested any talk of a setback was "ridiculous".
However, a few days later it emerged that Owen had indeed had a second minor operation, tightening the screw they inserted during the original procedure.
Owen admitted that he would be able to play just one or two Premiership games for Newcastle before the end of the season.
THE RACE FOR MATCH FITNESS
David Beckham's first competitive fixture after breaking his metatarsal was the first World Cup match against Sweden.
He had been included in England's squad and played in all England's World Cup matches, scoring the penalty that brought victory over Argentina.
But as England assistant coach Tord Grip told BBC Sport on Tuesday: "Beckham was still injured when he came with us (to the World Cup), so he wasn't fit then."
Eriksson has been arguing for more time to allow his players to rest before a major tournament ever since and this year the Swede has his wish.
The Premiership season ends on 7 May and, with no FA Cup and European commitments to concern him, Owen will not play again until the friendly against Hungary on 30 May.
That means the England management team has 23 days to work on Owen's fitness.
 Beckham was a pale shadow of his true self in Japan |
Owen could then play against Jamaica on 3 June as he looks to build his match sharpness.
In 2002 England played pre-tournament friendlies against South Korea and Cameroon. The first of these was 10 days after the end of the Premiership season on 11 May.
Spain striker Raul, also currently recovering from injury, hinted recently he needs seven games to recover his match fitness.
Owen will not get that but he should certainly have much more opportunity than Beckham four years ago.
POSITION
Beckham went to the 2002 World Cup as a right-sided midfielder with a reputation for tackling, back-tracking and working hard for the team, as well as for his trademark free-kicks and telling passes.
That he arrived in Japan not fully recovered from injury and without time to attain a decent level of match fitness became apparent from his performances.
It also seemed as though the injury was playing on Beckham's mind.
 Owen's goals are vital - he has 35 in 75 games |
Beckham should have made a tackle in injury time at the end of the first half of the quarter-final against Brazil but, probably fearful of further injuring his right foot, shirked the challenge. Seconds later Brazil were level.
Owen is a goalscorer. He is less involved in games than Beckham.
The 26-year-old relies on his speed and predatory instinct. Tackling and tracking back are not what defines Owen as special, they are not key components of his game.
Owen is less likely to be involved in the physical, contact aspects of the sport than a midfielder like Beckham.
THEIR IMPORTANCE TO THE TEAM
Beckham was regarded as irreplaceable in 2002, arguably much more so than going into this year's World Cup when England have numerous options in midfield.
His recovery was viewed as essential and the consensus view was that it was correct to gamble on his fitness.
England now have other talismanic figures, none more so than Rooney, who was the team's key player until breaking a metatarsal bone during Euro 2004.
The injury to Owen has not provoked the same reaction as Beckham's did. It came a lot earlier in the season, while Owen does not have the same magnetism for the media.
But he is a natural goalscorer with a proven record at international level. He is arguably the only one in the England squad and his importance cannot be underestimated.
The doubts over his fitness may alter Eriksson's thinking when it comes to the balance of his squad - perhaps opting for five strikers instead of four.
To England's prospects of winning the World Cup in Germany it would be foolish to underestimate the importance of Owen.
MMIX
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