Owen recovers to face Swedes

Michael Owen eased the worries of England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson when the Liverpool striker was passed fit this afternoon to play in tomorrow's friendly against Sweden at Old Trafford.

Owen, who has been troubled by persistent hamstring problems over the last two seasons, was a doubt for tomorrow, but passed a late fitness test and looks certain to play some part against the Swedes.

Eriksson admitted Owen would only play if there was "no risk" of further injury, but he felt no pain as he trained with the rest of the squad today.

Owen's Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, whose career has also been affected by injury, was yesterday ruled out with a groin problem.

Eriksson also believes England's World Cup chances could be jeopardised by the lack of preparation time before the finals begin in Japan and South Korea on 31 May.

The Premiership season finishes a week earlier than usual, on 11 May, but Eriksson said today: "From May onwards England are not in a good position.

"In Italy, because of the World Cup, they finish their league season a week earlier than England. I don't want to blame anyone, but the vital preparation takes place during that time between the end of the season and the start of the finals on 31 May.

"At best we should be giving the players some time off to recharge their batteries, but we won't know how long we have until the draw is made. We could be playing our first match on 31 May or just four days afterwards."