Owen gets warning from Eriksson

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has warned Michael Owen he must prove his sharpness in training next week - or risk being replaced by Jermain Defoe for England's World Cup qualifier against Wales.

Eriksson still seems likely to keep faith with Owen for the clash at Old Trafford, noting that he "has always been the man for the big games".

However, he has become concerned by the striker's lack of first-team chances at Real Madrid, where he has started just one game all season.