Messiah grateful for his Saint Michael

IT is almost 10 years since Michael Owen announced himself as a major player on football’s international stage with a wonderful World Cup goal against Argentina in St Etienne.

This week, the Newcastle forward returns to the country where he was first able to showcase a sublime talent in front of a mesmerised global audience.

However, a decade is a long time in football and under England coach Fabio Capello, Owen’s role against France in Wednesday’s friendly would appear to be that of a fringe player, rather than a key figure.