Sven
Goran Eriksson has confirmed that Liverpool ace Michael
Owen will captain England against Portugal at Villa
Park on Saturday.
Owen
has been handed the honour in the absence of injury
victim David Beckham after first skippering his country
against Paraguay at Anfield in April.
The 22-year-old could partner team-mate Emile Heskey
on Saturday, although Leeds striker Alan Smith is
another option for England coach Eriksson.
Elsewhere, Steven Gerrard is hoping to get some training
in with his England team-mates on Thursday after being
forced to abandon his journey to Birmingham on Wednesday
because of a serious traffic accident on the M6.
Gerrard is still a doubt for the game after picking
up an ankle injury against Newcastle and will have
his fitness assessed ahead by the England medical
team.
