Capello follows Owen's progress

England manager Fabio Capello admits that he is still following Manchester United striker Michael Owen as he continues to plan his 23-man World Cup squad.

Speculation surrounding the forward's international future has rumbled on as next summer's finals in South Africa draw ever closer.

One school of thought points to an excellent goalscoring record for the Three Lions but the counter-argument highlights a susceptibility to injury and a lack of club games.

Capello, who has continued to overlook Owen, described the conundrum surrounding the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle player as his 'tormentor' in October.

But while the England boss insists that is not the case, he continues to monitor the 30-year-old, saying: "He is not a tormentor. He is one of the players that I follow.

"I saw the last game he played, on television, and he scored three goals in the Champions League but the next game he did not play. For this reason, I ask myself why? Why (Wayne) Rooney plays always and Owen not? He is one of the important England players."