The Football Association have announced that Michael Owen is on his way back to England after a scan on his right knee confirmed that the forward will play no further part in the World Cup.
Owen injured his knee during the first minute of England’s 2-2 draw against Sweden in Cologne and flew back to the team hotel in Baden-Baden ahead of an MRI scan at the Max Grundig hospital at Buhlertal.
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd confirmed this afternoon that he has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, which could keep the 25-year-old out of action for five months.
In a statement, the Football Association said: “Following his injury in last night’s match with Sweden, Michael Owen had his right knee scanned today and it has now been confirmed the injury will prevent Michael playing any further part in the World Cup and he will return to England immediately.
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“Newcastle United have been kept fully informed of the facts and Michael’s medical care will now be managed by the club. Any further comment regarding details of the injury or further treatment will be issued by Newcastle.”
Owen said: “Obviously it’s a massive blow to suffer the injury and be out of the World Cup.
“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 and I will go back home and work with Newcastle’s medical staff to put a recovery programme in place.
“I am clearly sorry to be leaving the lads in Germany but I am convinced they can go on and achieve success. I will be following all the matches very closely and giving them my full support, hopefully all the way to Berlin. My main objective now is to get fit as quickly as possible for Newcastle.” Newcastle are expected to make a statement later today.
However, there was better news for England defenders Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, who were also at the clinic for scans. A scan on Ferdinand’s groin injury - also picked up in the Sweden game - was “clear”, while Neville’s calf problem was showing “significant improvement”, said the FA’s director of communications, Adrian Bevington.
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Sven-Göran Eriksson, the England manager, said: “Michael has had terrible luck with injuries since Christmas. I feel very sorry for him to miss out on the rest of the World Cup; it’s a blow to him and a big loss for the team.
“However, I am sure Michael will work very hard to get back as quickly as possible for Newcastle and England. He is a true professional and a very mentally strong person. I hope the team can now go on and achieve success in Germany for Michael.”
David Beckham, the England captain and a former Real Madrid teammate of Owen’s, said the squad was devastated by his injury and vowed to win the World Cup for him. “That’s what we said at half time when we came in and we knew it was a bad injury,” he said. It’s sad - Michael’s one of those players you need in big tournaments. It’s unfortunate for him and for us.”
Joe Cole, who scored a spectacular volley against Sweden, spoke of the team’s shock at Owen’s injury following the game: “It’s a big blow for us and the team. He’s had a difficult 12 months with injury and now he’s got a battle on his hands. Our thoughts are with him and his family. I hope he’ll be back scoring goals for England soon.”
Sven-Göran Eriksson, the England coach, who gambled on taking just four forwards to Germany, was also pessimistic about Owen playing any further part in England’s challenge. He said: “It doesn’t look very good for him and for us. How much time it will take we don’t know. I think it’s a bad one. We’ll have to see what the doctors say.”
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Paul Robinson, the England goalkeeper, told Radio Five Live: “Everyone’s gutted he won’t play again in the World Cup and I just hope he’s fit for the Premiership season.”
Alan Shearer, who had a succession of knee injuries, fears his former England strike partner has kicked his last ball at the World Cup. “I have to say I hope I’m wrong but it looks a bad one,” said the former Newcastle United forward. “I’ve had a text from him saying he’s in a lot of pain.”
Graham Taylor, England manager from 1990 to 1993, believes Eriksson will be regretting his decision to pick only four forwards. “I think we’ve all said from the word go, to only take four forwards could haunt Sven-Goran Eriksson,” said Taylor. “And with Owen looking seriously injured, I’m afraid it will.”
But Eriksson was confident he had “many players” who could take over from Owen. “If you talk about other options, we have many players who can take that second striker role,” said Eriksson. “We have Theo Walcott, who we haven’t seen yet, we have Joe Cole, we have Steven Gerrard. Both of them scored fantastic goals. So I’m not that worried about it at all.”