Owen desperate to face Wales

ENGLAND striker Michael Owen made a vigorous case to start against Wales as he stressed that he had no doubts over his ability to overcome his baptism of fire at Real Madrid.

Owen said he was “no quitter” and would “fight to the death” to prove the critics wrong after already being written off in some quarters in the Spanish capital.

However, his main focus is on warding off the challenge of Jermain Defoe to keep his place as the spearhead of England’s attack in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier. Owen’s form and fitness have both been questioned after he limped out of only his second start for Real during Sunday night’s defeat by Deportivo La Coruna with a back problem.

A scan yesterday proved clear and Owen is hoping to be back in full training tomorrow, giving him two sessions to prove his sharpness to Sven-Goran Eriksson. He had set alarm bells ringing earlier in the day after his reported comments to a fan at a book signing and he admitted last night that he was “still feeling it a little bit”.

However, the striker insisted: “If I’m not feeling 100%, I won’t play, but the physios and doctors are all positive and think I’ve got a very good chance. I had the same problem a couple of weeks ago and, after two or three days of rest and treatment, I was back and feeling great again.”

With Wayne Rooney certain to play, Owen faces a battle to beat off the challenge of Defoe, who scored his first England goal in Poland last month. However, despite his lack of match-sharpness, the Real striker at least has experience and a proven record on his side.

“You know what you’re going to get with me, you’ve seen it 63 times for England with 27 goals, and with a constant supply of goals throughout my career,” he insisted.

“I’ve scored in four big tournaments and I don’t think I’ve got to prove myself in any way. Would I like to play on Saturday and score? I’m really bouncing to play and I’d have an extra spring in my step.”

Owen has started just twice for Real this season, without a goal yet for his new club, and some critics have already questioned his right to be considered as a ‘galactico’.

He defiantly responded: “I’m not doubting anything about myself. I’m perfectly content as you don’t turn into a bad player overnight. I’m still up for the challenge and I’m still hungry to do well. I’m not a quitter, I’ll fight to the death and I’m sure that I’ll be a success out there.

“I know for a fact that Real Madrid haven’t seen anything like the best of me yet but they are certainly going to. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but I’ve just got to be patient.”

Owen felt pain in his lower back just seven minutes into the game against Deportivo but struggled on, missing two chances along the way, before he was taken off shortly after half-time.

He insisted: “That was the only game when I felt I didn’t do myself justice and there was a reason for that. I don’t think I’m playing poorly or anything.

“I’ve received a bit of criticism lately. I’ve had it before and no doubt I’ll have it again. It goes round in circles a bit. It’s me one minute and it’ll be someone else the next minute. I’d like things to settle down out there. I’d like to find a house as I’m living in a hotel with a little kid his daughter Gemma, who wants to run around the garden all the time.

“Often if things aren’t perfect off the pitch, then it’s not perfect on it either. I’d like to speak a bit more of the language and meet a few more people. It’s not easy but I didn’t go into the move with blinkers on and I haven’t regretted it.”

Owen has yet to win over the Real faithful, especially with Raul, Ronaldo and Fernando Morientes in the squad as competition, but he believes it is only a matter of time before his fortunes turn.

“I’d prefer people to be writing nice things about me, but I’ve seen and heard it all before. I’m not concerned in the slightest,” he maintained.

“I know better than anyone that you can be as low as anyone can be and then in just 24 hours you can be on top of the world again. Football’s like that - hopefully it will be on Saturday!”