Striker Owen in fitness boost for England (Updated)

Apr 30, 2006, 12:55 GMT

London - Michael Owen has given beleaguered England football coach Sven Goran Eriksson a World Cup boost after X-rays on Sunday revealed he had not done any more damage to his foot.

Owen had said he was not happy after making a 30-minute comeback for Newcastle against Birmingham in the Premier League on Saturday - his first match in four months after breaking a bone in his right foot.

But X-rays showed no new damage.

'Michael had various tests early on Sunday and the results were positive,' a Newcastle spokesman said.

'The specialist said it was normal to feel some pain in the first couple of games back after an injury like this.'

Owen said he had 'felt something go after 10 minutes' against Birmingham.

'My foot does not feel right. I don't know how serious it is but it's not perfect. I can't say I've rushed back too soon. I've been in full training all week and was fully prepared to play a full part against Birmingham,' he said.

'Is it pain? I don't know how to explain it. There is a numbness there. It is obviously not ideal. As far as the World Cup is concerned it is much too early to say. I'm not going to panic.'

The news will be a boost to Eriksson after Owen's attacking partner, Wayne Rooney, fractured a bone in his foot playing for Manchester United against Chelsea.

Rooney is expected to be out for up to six weeks, right around the time of England's first match of the World Cup finals, against Paraguay on June 10.