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by **Alonso14** » Wed May 24, 2006 4:29 pm

Skipper Owen to start for England
England B v Belarus
Madejski Stadium, Thursday 25 May, 2005 BST
Live commentary on BBC Radio Five Live

Owen will start up front against Belarus alongside Peter Crouch
Michael Owen will captain the England B team against Belarus on Thursday.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson starts with Owen in attack alongside Peter Crouch to test out their partnership, while Theo Walcott will come off the bench.

Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell start in defence as they continue their return to full fitness after injury.

Owen Hargreaves is at right-back, while Michael Carrick and Jermaine Jenas play in central midfield and Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing are on the wings.

David James has been given the nod over Rob Green in goal.

The game was originally organised to give England's fringe players a run-out, but with several players short of match fitness, Eriksson has revised his plans.

Foot and ankle injuries kept Cole out of action for much of the season, but he is confident of regaining fitness in time for the World Cup.

"I need a few more games to get full match fitness," he told BBC Five Live.

"I've had three starts for Arsenal and trained hard over the last week so hopefully I'll be alright for England."

Hargreaves fills in for first-choice right-back Gary Neville, while Jamie Carragher and Campbell pair up in central defence.

The five players on the stand-by list for England's World Cup squad - Phil Neville, Matt Dawson, Jermain Defoe, Andy Johnson and Scott Carson - all join Walcott, Green, Joe Cole and Wayne Bridge on the bench.

The game at Reading's 24,000-capacity Madejski Stadium is a sell-out.

England will play two more friendlies before their first World Cup game against Paraguay on 10 June.

Hungary visit Old Trafford on 30 May, with Jamaica to follow on 3 June.

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England B: James (Man City), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), A Cole (Arsenal), Carrick (Tottenham), Carragher (Liverpool), Campbell (Arsenal), Lennon (Tottenham), Jenas (Tottenham), Crouch (Liverpool), Owen (Newcastle), Downing (Middlesbrough).
Substitutes: Bridge (Chelsea), Green (Norwich), P Neville (Everton), Dawson (Tottenham), J Cole (Chelsea), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Crystal Palace), Walcott (Arsenal), Carson (Liverpool).

Hopefully Carragher can do enough to show Sven that he is definatly the man to turn to if either one of the starting center backs is injured.

Ill also be interested to see how Crocuh gets on, as he'll have some real width to the team, so there should be a few crosses coming his way.

by **Dundalk** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:27 pm

Alonso14 wrote:Hopefully Carragher can do enough to show Sven that he is definatly the man to turn to if either one of the starting center backs is injured.

Hes 3rd choice at the moment Id say and should be at least 2nd choice

Rio Ferdinand :no

by **Lando_Griffin** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:29 am

It's pathetic that JC is overlooked by that brainless chimp Eriksson.

Rio Ferdinand is a f*cking JOKE.

by **48-1119859832** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:24 am

England B team

I don't see Paul Butler in there or Marlon King.

Seems like the First team to me.

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:49 am

These friendlie could change Erikssons mind. Carraghers credentials far outweigh Ferdinands. The problem is the game eriksson started him last against Denmark - we got caned 4-1. We know its not Carraghers fault but I think it stuck in Erikssons mind.

by **Dundalk** » Thu May 25, 2006 7:52 pm

The game is on now soon up in reading, a big cheer went up when Walcotts name was called out

by **Dundalk** » Thu May 25, 2006 7:53 pm

by **Dundalk** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:49 pm

England winning 1-0 JJ

by **Alonso14** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:56 pm

Crouch played well involved in a lot, quite towards the end of the half. Owen should of squared it to him for a tap in.

Lennons flying past the full back time after time and Carrick looks solid.

Anyone think that Harewood shold be called up to the Team, 16 Prem Goals I think and is very pwerfull.

by **Dundalk** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:20 pm

Whoops 1 - 1 Vitaly Kutuzov

by **Dundalk** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:49 pm

Oh oo 2 - 1 Sergey Kornilenko

by **The Ace1983** » Fri May 26, 2006 10:16 am

0asis wrote:England B team

I don't see Paul Butler in there or Marlon King.

Seems like the First team to me.

Marlon King is Jamaican mate. He'll be playing against England in one of the coming warm ups.

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