Owen's dream fades amid Capello blinkers

London: Michael Owen's World Cup dream is all but over, with Fabio Capello refusing to recall the Manchester United striker for the England squad to play Brazil on Saturday.

The England manager was scheduled to be at Stamford Bridge for the showdown between Premier League champions United and current leaders Chelsea, but Owen was not expected to be named in the squad.

Capello does not consider Owen's recent form for United, in which he has started three games of the past six and scored two goals, to be sufficient to merit a recall and remains committed to Jermain Defoe, who he watched yesterday for Tottenham against Sunderland.

When it was put to Capello that Owen, who has scored 40 goals for England in 89 appearances, was now fit, scoring goals and playing for United, the England manager replied: "He has played one game," referring to his midweek start against CSKA Moscow, in which he scored. "I will be at Chelsea to check him — if he plays."

Tellingly, Capello outlined his preferred choices when he added: "We have Rooney and Heskey is fit, because he played a half against West Ham, Defoe was suspended and I checked on him at Tottenham, we have Crouch, Carlton Cole is out but he wasn't in the last squad. We have five or six forwards but I have to choose four."

Former European Footballer of the Year Owen, once an iconic member of the team and scorer of one of the most memorable World Cup goals at France 98 when just an 18 -year-old, has played only once for England during Capello's reign as manager, against France in March of last year.

Only chance

With just one more friendly scheduled before Capello finalises his squad for South Africa next summer, Owen's only chance would be if there were an abnormal number of injuries.

Even though Carlton Cole is out with a hamstring injury it will be of no help to Owen, as Capello is expected to retain Rooney, Defoe, Heskey and Crouch, with Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor considered if he decides to pick a fifth striker.

The Italian may find himself in confrontation with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, who wants England to leave Steven Gerrard out of the squad even if he plays for Liverpool.