Owen happy despite injury

Michael Owen has said the Israel vs Russia result was delightful to watch despite the fact England still need a point to qualify and he has suffered injury, but the Newcastle striker feels like the world is "a brighter place" now their destiny is in their own hands.

Owen, who will be missing the final qualifier after his thigh injury in a friendly win in Austria on Friday, wrote in the News of the World: "My heart sank in the freezing air of Vienna on Friday but it soared as I sat at home in front of the television last night.

"Suddenly the pain and despair of picking up another injury in the friendly against Austria began to disappear as the outcome of the games in Israel and Macedonia began to unfold.

"Even though I will not be able to play against Croatia, the gateway to the Euro 2008 finals is open.

"Suddenly the world looks a brighter place. It looked pretty grim from where I was standing on Friday night.”