A scan confirmed that Michael Owen will not be able to play the rest of the World Cup. The English striker suffered an injury in the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the second minute of England’s match against Sweden in Cologne.

“As soon as it happened I knew I was in trouble. It was a major disappointment to pick up the injury so early in the game”, the player explained. “Obviously it's a massive blow to suffer the injury – and to be out of the World Cup.”

The torn muscle could mean a period of about five months in rehabilitation for the striker. Owen said he would go back home and work with the Newcastle medical staff to plan a recovery program. “I'm clearly sorry to be leaving the lads in Germany, but I'm convinced they can go on and achieve success”, he added.