Owen out for up to five months as World Cup dream ends (Roundup)

Jun 21, 2006, 16:02 GMT

Michael Owen from England lies on the stretcher during the group B match of 2006 FIFA World Cup between Sweden and England in Cologne on Tuesday, 20 June, 2006. EPA/ROLF VENNENBERND

Baden-Baden, Germany - England's Michael Owen flew back home on Wednesday with his World Cup dream in tatters after a scan revealed the striker has suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage and could be out of action for up to five months.

The Newcastle United player ruptured the ligament in his right knee in the first minute of Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Sweden and, according to his club, will now meet up with the Magpies' medical staff later this week to begin his rehabilitation.

Earlier, the English Football Association (FA) confirmed that Owen would not be playing any further part in the World Cup.

'Obviously it's a massive blow to suffer the injury - and be out of the World Cup,' Owen said.

'As soon as it happened I knew I was in trouble. It was a major disappointment to pick up the injury so early in the game.

'I'm clearly sorry to be leaving the lads in Germany, but I'm convinced they can go on and achieve success.

Coach Sven Goran Eriksson said: 'I'm sorry for him. But we have many players who can take that second striker role.'

However, Eriksson said his team were still capable of lifting the World Cup despite the loss of Owen.

'We have Theo Walcott, who we haven't seen yet, we have the players in the squad who can play second striker such as Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard and Aaron Lennon can do it too.

'I'm not that worried about it. We don't want any more injuries on strikers but I'm not worried,' added Eriksson.

England captain David Beckham said: 'It's sad. Michael's one of those players you need in big tournaments. It's unfortunate for him and for us,'

The injury caps a nightmare season for Owen, who returned to English football last summer in a 17 million pound switch from Real Madrid to Newcastle.

He enjoyed a successful start to his Newcastle career, but broke his foot on New Year's Eve at Tottenham.

Owen battled back to play at the World Cup but looked less than fully fit and was substituted in both of England's opening games, without scoring.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said he didn't know how long Owen would be out for but that it was a 'serious injury' and the club would stand by their player.

'He'll come home and back into our care and will be assessed by our club medical staff at some point in the next couple of days following his return,' he said.