McClaren won't put Owen at risk

LONDON (AFP) - Steve McClaren insists he will not jeopardise Michael Owen's fitness after including the Newcastle striker in his squad for the crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.

Owen's Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has warned McClaren that he is ready to demand the forward be left out of the matches on October 13 and 17 if he is not fully recovered from surgery last week on a groin injury.

Owen hopes to be involved when Newcastle face Everton on Sunday and, with so much at stake as England enter crunch time in Group E, McClaren will give the forward every opportunity to prove he is ready to start.

McClaren, who named Everton defender Joleon Lescott and West Ham forward Dean Ashton in his squad, will keep Allardyce up to date with his player's fitness when he arrives for training next week, but the England coach knows he must decide whether to gamble on Owen's fitness.

"I'm delighted to have Michael available," he told Sky Sports. "Two or three weeks ago that looked an impossibility. He has had the operation and come through it well.

"He says he's flying and feeling very good. Hopefully he will play on Sunday, then he will be assessed in training and if he is fit he will play for England.

"I spoke to Sam this morning. This club versus country thing is never a problem. I've got a great relationship with Sam.

"Michael will be assessed by their medical team and ours. This is not a decision that will be taken lightly."

With Owen's status uncertain and Emile Heskey out with a foot injury, McClaren was relieved to be able to welcome back Ashton.

The West Ham striker suffered an ankle injury while training with England in August 2006 and is only just beginning to find his form again.

McClaren, who also has Wayne Rooney back from injury, said: "It's great to have Dean back. I was really sick for him when he got that injury, especially because it was with England.

"He has worked so hard, come through so much and got his rewards. He is improving game by game and deserves his call up."

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is in the squad despite missing several matches with a thigh injury and his club colleague John Terry is also included after playing in a protective mask when the Blues beat Valencia on Wednesday.

David Beckham, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick are all sidelined through injury.

McClaren admitted Lampard's return has given him a selection headache in central midfield after Gareth Barry's impressive displays in the wins over Israel and Russia.

"I was disappointed to be without Frank for the last two games because he was man of the match against Germany," McClaren said.

"Garth Barry came in and did a fantastic job and that's given me competition for places.

"People who were outside of the squad in the last two games have to look and see what's needed to get back in.

"I spoke with JT (Terry) straight after the game on Saturday when he was injured and everyone was saying he would be out for a long time.

"He said to me he would be fit and that's why he is captain of England. He's remarkable."

McClaren admitted Lescott deserved a call-up after his superb form this season. The versitile defender is Everton's top scorer with three league goals and was on target again in their UEFA Cup win over Metalist on Thursday.

"Lescott is one of those players who is improving week by week," McClaren said. "He can play at left-back and in the centre of defence and is proving to be a goalscorer as well."