London, Oct. 9 : Manchester United striker Michael Owen has said that he won’t face sleepless nights if he doesn’t find a place in England squad for World Cup 2010.

“There is plenty more to life if I''m not picked in the England squad… But I don''t lie awake at night thinking about it. It''s a simple equation - play well and you will be in, don''t play well and you won''t be in,” The Sun quoted Owen, as saying.

"I''m playing for a top, top team, playing for top honours, so we will see where it takes us.”

London  - Manchester United striker Michael Owen was again missing as Fabio Capello on Sunday named his squad for England's World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

England face Slovenia in a friendly Saturday, and then Croatia the following Wednesday, in a game in which a victory would guarantee their place in next summer's World Cup.

There were suggestions that a summer move to United would help Owen's cause, but just one goal so far for his new club has not swayed Capello.

London - Striker Michael Owen completed his free-transfer move to English football champions Manchester United on Friday.

The 29 year old underwent stringent medical tests before signing a two-year contract on what is believed to be a pay-as-you-play basis with a basic weekly wage topped up by bonuses.

"Michael is a world-class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

London - Newcastle United striker Michael Owen moved on Friday to deny reports that he will retire from football at the end of the season.

An early edition of the Express had suggested the 29 year old, whose career has been bedevilled by injury, would quit and become a full-time racehorse owner.

"Any suggestion or unfounded speculation that Michael Owen has any intention of quitting football is totally untrue and wrong," read a statement from Wasserman Media Group, who manage the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker.

London, Mar. 31 : Football star Michael Owen has been told that he must decide between playing for England or pursuing his other passion of horse racing.

Owen has his own stables but his international career looks over after Fabio Capello snubbed him for tomorrow's Ukraine clash.

Former England striker Ian Wright reckons Owen can rise again - if he focuses on his football.

London  - Newcastle pair Michael Owen and Joey Barton are set for lengthy spells on the sidelines after both suffered ankle injuries in action on Wednesday.

Owen cracked a bone in his ankle playing against Manchester City and will be out for about six weeks. Barton suffered a similar injury and will miss 10 weeks.

"It's one thing after another at the moment," Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear said.

"Michael's on crutches already for protection and he's going to have a scan tomorrow.